Pietersen relieved with hundred

Pietersen hit 15 fours and two sixes in his 104 not out

Kevin Pietersen was relieved to notch his first hundred of the series on day one of the third Test against Pakistan.

Pietersen was forced off with cramp in his left arm at Headingley shortly after reaching his fifth ton in Tests.

Confirming he would be able to bat on day two, he said: "I couldn't hold the bat. I tried treatment but I thought the best option was to go off.

"I've found it tough getting to a hundred in this series and I'm just glad I got there this time."

Interview: England batsman Kevin Pietersen

Interview: Pakistan's Umar Gul

Pietersen also admitted he had ridden his luck in his 131-ball innings, but added: "I've had a few decisions that haven't gone my way in the past so I will take it.

"I played a lot straighter than in a while and I'm pretty happy with 104 not out."

It was not like Old Trafford and Lord's, the ball was coming onto the bat very easily Pakistan batsman Umar Gul

Pietersen defended his decision not to walk after apparently edging a ball from Shahid Nazir via his leg to the wicket-keeper after making just two.

Pietersen said: "I got a decision in the first innings at Lord's where I was given out lbw to a ball which was going over the top of the stumps.

"That's life. I wasn't 100% sure I'd nicked it and I am not out there to give decisions. I am not sure I am the only batsman in the world that doesn't walk."

Pietersen predicted that, despite the ease with which England were able to make runs, England's bowlers would be able to get something out of the Headingley wicket.

"It's a pitch for the fuller ball - there's not a lot in it for the short ball," said the Hampshire batsman.

"Belly [Ian Bell] got a couple that rose up at him and it bodes well for us bowling on it."

However, Umar Gul said the pitch was still favouring the batsman, despite taking 4-73 for Pakistan.

"It was not like Old Trafford and Lord's, the ball was coming onto the bat very easily," said Gul.

"So we will try to bowl the rest of the batsman out in the morning and try to bat well ourselves."