At the age of 38, Caribbean giant Chris Gayle aka self proclaimed ‘Universe Boss’ seems to keep getting better and continues to break records with his hammering willow. In the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League, playing for Rangpur Riders in the Eliminator of the tournament, Gayle produced another blasting knock in his feather and helping his side win the match comfortably.
After opting to bowl, skipper Mashrafe Mortaza-led Riders were asked to chase 168 against Khulna Titans in order to qualify for next stage of the tournament. The total looked modest but soon it looked too small once Gayle began swatting the white leather all-around the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
Gayle lost his opening partner Sohag Gazi in the third over, followed by Brendon McCullum’s departure for duck in the same over. From there on, wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Mithun partnered Gayle just by rotating strike and let the West Indian cricketer go after every ball. Mithun scored only 30 off 36 not out, meanwhile, Gayle went on hitting an unbeaten 126 off just 51 balls, including 6 fours and 14 sixes.
The target of 168 was chased down in 15.2 overs with only two wickets lost by Riders. Apart from Jofra Chioke Archer and Abu Jayed, rest other five bowlers went at least 10 runs per over. Mahmudulla and Carlos Brathwaite were the costliest with ball, conceding 30 each from their spell of overs.
With this another stupendous T20 knock, Gayle this time broke the record of highest percentage of runs by an individual in a completed innings. Gayle’s percentage was 73.68 and he broke Kamran Akmal’s record, which was registered a couple of weeks back during the recently concluded Pakistan’s National T20 Cup.
Moreover, this is the 14th time in T20 cricket history Gayle has hit 10 or more sixes in an innings. On the other hand, no other cricketer has done this even thrice. Dasun Shanaka, McCullum and Evin Lewis are the only cricketers to do this twice.
In addition, Gayle’s 126 not out is also the highest individual score in a T20 knock-out match of any tournament. Previous best was of 123 not out by David Warner for Delhi Daredevils against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011. This was Gayle’s 19th century in T20 cricket — obviously the most by any in the format. The next best is of 7, jointly held by Michael Klinger, Luke Wright and McCullum.