Pietersen impressed with Yuvraj prowess

“There are a number of players taking T20 to the next level. I think all-rounders have the most to offer in T20 cricket,” Pietersen said on the eve of England’s ICC World Twenty20 opener against the Netherlands on Friday.

“I’m impressed by the likes of Yuvraj Singh of India -- and other guys who can hit sixes, take wickets and generally field well,” said the South Africa-born batsman, who led Bangalore Royal Challengers for a while in the Indian Premier League.

Pietersen considers West Indies captain Chris Gayle as the most destructive batsman in Twenty20 cricket.

“I rate Chris Gayle very highly -- quite simply because his batting can tear apart even the best bowling. When he is in the groove, he is practically unstoppable. It’s scary to watch him in full flight,” he was quoted as saying by The Sun.

Among bowlers, Pietersen rated Brett Lee, Dale Steyn and Fidel Edwards as the toughest.

“The likes of Lee, Edwards and Steyn are probably the toughest bowlers. They are world-class pace bowlers and are difficult to face across all forms of the game and certainly no easier in T20,” he said.

The former skipper hoped his England team-mates Stuart Broad and Ravi Bopara would shine in the Twenty20 World Cup.

“I think Stuart Broad and Ravi Bopara could really come to the fore in this tournament. They’re very exciting players on the rise in world cricket,” said the 28-year-old.