Gayle force destroys Knights hopes
sharjah — Never mess with the ‘Universe Boss.’ Balkh Legends opener Chris Gayle unleashed mayhem to send the Kandahar Knights hurtling out of the Gulbahar Afghanistan Premier League (APL) on Wednes- day night.
The Knights were on life support following that dramatic last-ball four-wicket win over the Paktia Panthers late on Wednesday night, but it all came undone as they were flat-lined by a supreme Gayle.
It was sheer carnage as Gayle, well-rested after missing the game against the Nangarhar Leopards, unravelled his might.
Normalcy was restored after he holed out to Brendon McCullum off Karim Janat, but by then, he had shaved off a large chunk of the 142-run target. Gayle followed up the 48-ball blitz of 80 against Kabul Zwanan with 73 from 22 deliveries, generously spiced with eight big ones and five boundaries. His half-century came from just 16 balls, with it being his 73rd in the format. The Legends got home with six wickets still in hand. Left with only four points, the Knights took the early flight home, while the Leopards went through to the semifinals. Table toppers Legends take on the Leopards on Friday night, while Zwanan face the Panthers on Saturday night, in the semis.
Early on, McCullum scored his first half-century of the tournament, while Riki Wessels chipped in with 39, with the pair involved in a vital 65-run stand for the fifth wicket. —