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Barbados: Kevin Pietersen seemed almost desperate to avoid tempting fate ahead of England's ICC World Twenty20 clash with his native South Africa despite his match-winning role against Pakistan.
Pietersen's unbeaten 73 saw England cruise to a six-wicket win - their first in this tournament - over the defending champions at the Kensington Oval here on Thursday as they opened the second round Super Eights in some style.
After some mediocre displays, Pietersen found his form with a 52-ball innings featuring two sixes and eight fours in a total of 151 for four made in reply to Pakistan's 147 for nine.
With South Africa comfortably defeating New Zealand by 13 runs later on Thursday, the stage is set for the latest chapter of Pietersen's often fraught relationship with his homeland when England face the Proteas here on Saturday.
But while England captain Paul Collingwood and Pakistan coach Waqar Younis were piling on the plaudits, Pietersen praised England's bowlers.
"Anything can happen in Twenty20," said Pietersen.
"I could get out first ball (against South Africa) on Saturday," he added.
It was nice, a nice wicket to bat on, and the boys bowled well. Then we chased down a real gettable total, which was great.
There was a scare for England when Pietersen needed on-pitch medical attention early in his innings after limping while attempting a run.
However, the Hampshire batsman insisted: "No concern - I just hit my bat on my ankle. It's bleeding a little bit, but no problem."
Pietersen could leave the Caribbean in the next 10 days to be with his wife in London where she is expecting the birth of the couple's first child.
