Gayle smashes 44-ball century in BPL

Philippine Times (IANS) Friday 10th February, 2012

West Indies star batsman Chris Gayle struck an unbeaten 44-ball 101 to guide Barisal Burners to a 10-wicket win over Sylhet Royals in a Bangaldesh Premier League (BPL) match at the Sher-e Bangla National Stadium here Friday.

Chasing a target of 166, Barisal Burners made 167 in 13.1 overs after Gayle's whirlwind knock while Pakistan's Ahmed Shehzad remained unbeaten on 56 off 35 balls.

Gayle's 44-ball knock was studded with 10 sixes and seven fours. Shehzad, who opened for Pakistan in the 2011 World Cup, was not match for Gayle but held one end hitting nine fours and a six.

Gayle launched into the Sylhet bowling right from the start of his innings and went after medium pacers Rubel Hossain and Sohail Tanvir.

The worst hit was Kiwi all-rounder Scott Styris, who conceeded 27 runs in one over. Gayle also smacked Somerset allrounder Peter Trego for three sixes in a 23-run over.

Other part-time bowlers also faced Gayle's fury. Alok Kapali solitary over cost 19 while Noor Hossain conceded 19 runs in a seven-ball over.

Earlier in the day, put in, Sylhet made 165 for four in 20 overs. Trego was the top scorer with 62 while Kapali made 56.