Internet Desk : Chris Gayle smashed a half century off just 12 balls in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) on Monday at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne to equal the world record for the fastest T20 fifty, set by Yuvraj Singh . The Indian left hander set the record at the 2007 T20 World Cup against England in Durban.
Gayle’s 17-ball 56, which included 7 sixes and 2 fours at a strike rate of 329.41 went in vain as his side,Melbourne Renegades failed to chase down a target of 171 from 16 overs in order to qualify for the finals. The Jamaican batsman’s 12-ball scoreline on Monday read like this – 2,6,6,6,6,2,6,6(free hit)4,1,6 . At one time it challenged Yuvraj’s 14 ball 58 (3 fours and 6 sixes) which included six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad .Gayle smashed 4 consecutive sixes in the first over of the innings, 2 six and 2 fours in the second over. He scored 22 from Ben Laughlin’s over to take himself to 44 from 11 deliveries. But the Jamaican was out for 56 from 17 balls as Travis Head claimed his third wicket to put his side, Adelaide Strikers in a strong position in the contest.
Gayle’s knock also broke the BBL record for the fastest fifty, from 18 balls, first set by Tim Ludeman in the 4th season of BBL. His team, the Melbourne Renegades eventually lost by 27 runs.