Updated May 31st, 2019 at 21:31 IST
World Cup 2019 | In his last ODI tournament, Chris Gayle sets this WC record as he blazes a quickfire 50 against Pakistan
Chris Gayle played an impactful knock with the bat which helped West Indies register their first win against Pakistan in the second match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 at Trent Bridge on Friday.
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Chris Gayle played an impactful knock which helped West Indies register their first win against Pakistan in the second match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 at Trent Bridge on Friday. The explosive opening batsman single-handedly took the game away from Pakistan with his blistering knock of a 34-ball 50 at a strike rate of 147.06 which included six boundaries and three maximums. Chasing a paltry total of 106, Gayle was on the attack from the word 'Go' as he smashed the Pakistani bowlers to all parts of the ground as West Indies got the better of Pakistan by seven wickets. He also ended up adding another feather in his cap.
The 'Universe Boss' has now broken the record of hitting maximum sixes in the World Cup. Gayle surpassed former South African skipper AB de Villiers to reach this new high. ABD has 37 sixes in his World Cup career while the Caribbean power-hitter has 39 sixes to his name. He achieved this feat in an over which was bowled by pacer Hasan Ali whom he had clobbered for two sixes. This new record, combined with a splendid half-century, in the opening game is indeed a phenomenal achievement for the veteran all-rounder who will be bidding adieu to ODI cricket after the showpiece event. Gayle who made his maiden World Cup appearance in 2003 has featured in five editions of the quadrennial event. At the same time, Gayle also holds the record of being the first batsman to score a World Cup double hundred in the 2015 edition.
The Jamaican superstar has also tasted success at the ICC tournaments. He was a part of the West Indies squad that had won the ICC Champions Trophy back in 2004. The big man had also played a key role in the Calypso Boys' two World T20 wins in 2012 and 2016 respectively under the leadership of Darren Sammy. He will now be eager to sign off on a high note by being the part of a World Cup winning team.
West Indies will be aiming to win their third World Cup and their first one since 1979. They were the winners of the first two editions of the tournament in 1975 and 1979 under the leadership of Clive Lloyd. They had also made it to the final in 1983 but finished as the runners-up. The Calypso Boys had last made it to the semifinals in 1996 under the leadership of Richie Richardson.
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Published May 31st, 2019 at 20:22 IST