Gayle and Pietersen - friends and foes

Coolidge, Antigua – 01 November 2008 –

Chris Gayle and Kevin Pietersen are good friends.

It's a relationship that started three years ago when they were on the same team for an ICC World XI against Australia in a Super Series Down Under.

The friendship, however, will be on pause for three hours on Saturday.

They will be gunning for each other's throat in the Stanford 20/20 for 20.

Gayle will lead the Stanford Superstars and Pietersen is at the helm of England.

The teams will battle it out for US$20 million, the richest team prize for a single sporting match

As rival captains, there will be a customary hand-shake at the toss. That's when the battle lines will be drawn.

"We talk a lot but hopefully, we're going to kick his ... you know what," Gayle said with a big laugh.

"We first met at the game in Australia. From there, we've built a relationship. He's a good guy."

The 28-year-old Pietersen is a world-class batsman who commands tremendous respect from Gayle.

KP, who took over as England captain in the middle of the summer series against South Africa, boasts an impressive Test batting average of 50.51, an equally outstanding One-Day International average of 47.83 and a fantastic strike-rate of 146.29 in 20/20 cricket.

In spite of the wonderful records, Gayle has given him a promise for the Stanford 20/20 for 20 match.

"He's is dangerous player. There are no two ways about it," Gayle said.

"At the same time, I've told him that I'm going to get him out. He's aware of that."

Gayle also praised Pietersen's leadership qualities - characteristics the England selectors recognised when they made him the country's captain three months ago.

"You can see that the guys rally around him as a new captain. He has been fun," Gayle said.

"He's aware of the situation. He knows his game-plan. He knows his cricket."