Gayle: I’m the greatest batsman of all time
Chris Gayle, the self proclaimed Universal Boss, says he is the “greatest batsman of all time” after striking a world record 17 sixes in a T20 innings playing in the final of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) for Rangpur Riders in Mirpur.
The big-hitting West Indian went on to score 146 not out off 69 balls as his team posted a match-winning total of 206/1 in their 20 overs after batting first against pre-tournament favourites Dhaka Dynamites.
Gayle’s 17 sixes in an innings beat his own record of 15 maximums when he struck 175 not out while playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune in the Indian Premier League (IPL) four years ago.
When his team got over the line, by a comfortable margin of 57 runs, to lift the trophy the left-hander spoke to ESPNCricinfo and said it was one of his better innings in the shortest format.
When asked if he was the Don Bradman of T20s, Gayle said: “I’m the greatest batsman of all time. “It is a big game, a big occasion to actually stand out and get a century in a final.
“You actually look back and say well done. You tap yourself on the back. It is a winning effort as well, which makes it more special for me.
“So I am glad that we came out on top. I would put it in the top five [among T20 centuries], certainly for the occasion as well. I will have to reflect where this takes place. It is right up there.”
The 38-year-old Gayle, who has also scored two triple-centuries in Tests, now has 20 hundreds in T20 cricket after 302 games.
Latest
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.