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.

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