Stuart Broad wanted Kevin Pietersen in England squad for ICC World T20 2014

London: Feb 9, 2014

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England bowler and Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad had reportedly told the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that he wanted sacked Kevin Pietersen in the squad for next month’s ICC World Twenty20 2014. However, the request was ignored.

Broad had been one of many senior players to have clashed with Pietersen during the 2012 “textgate” saga which saw the star batsman ditched by England, only to be reintegrated into the side following the resignation of Test captain Andrew Strauss.

However, the Mirror reports that his relationship with Pietersen has improved markedly since then and when he was consulted by new managing director Paul Downton and chairman of selectors James Whittaker, he told them he wanted the “maverick” batsman to be part of squad in Bangladesh.

Although Broad believed that England’s chances would have been improved had Pietersen been allowed to continue — whatever the breakdown in his relationship with Test captain Alastair Cook, his request was reportedly ignored by both Downton and Whittaker The report mentioned that Pietersen coached Broad, along with James Anderson and Chris Tremlett in extra-curricular batting sessions during the winter Ashes tour.

ICC World T20 2014 schedule: Match time table with venue details