CHRIS Gayle smashed a record-breaking 20th T20 century that catapulted the Rangpur Riders to an emphatic 57-run victory over the defending champions Dhaka Dynamites and the 2017 Bangladesh Premier League title on Tuesday.
Gayle struck a record 18 sixes and five fours for his unbeaten 146 that came off just 69 balls as he and Brendan McCullum (51) posted a partnership of 201 for the Riders who scored 206 for 1 off their 20 overs.
Gayle went past his own record of 17 sixes, during his unbeaten 175 against Pune Warriors in the 2013 IPL.
Johnson Charles who opened the innings with Gayle failed to reproduce the form that saw him score an unbeaten hundred to propel the Riders to the finals. He made only 3, out caught and bowled by Shakib Al Hasan.
McCullum joined Gayle at the crease, and was, for the most part, a spectator to the Gayle typhoon that was unleashed at the other end. McCullum faced 43 balls for his unbeaten half-century that included four fours and three sixes.
Notwithstanding the onslaught Al Hasan gave up only 26 runs off his three overs and claimed the only wicket. However, the same cannot be said for his teammates who were brutalised by Gayle and McCullum.
Abu Hider’s two overs went for 26 while Kieron Pollard’s two went for 33. However, Khaled Ahmed came in for the worst treatment as his two overs yielded 39 runs.
The defending champions seemed shell-shocked as they began their chase.
They were quickly in trouble at 2 for 1 eight balls into their innings losing Mehedi Maruf and JL Denley for ducks in the space of five balls.
They were soon 29 for 4 after losing the wickets of Evin Lewis for 15 in the fourth over and Kieron Pollard for 8 in the fifth.
Had it not been for an even half-century off 38 balls by Juhurul Islam, the situation would have been much more embarrassing for the Dynamites who managed to muster 149 for 9 off their 20 overs.
Shakib Al Hasan, 26; Lewis and Sunil Narine, 14, were the only other batsmen to make double figures as the Dynamites wilted under scoreboard pressure and tight bowling from the Riders.
Sohag Gazi, I Udana and Nazmul Islam each claimed two wickets for the new champions who have Gayle to thank for the ease at which they claimed the title.
