West Indies’ swashbuckling batsman Chris Gayle has backed the just-concluded Afghanistan Premier League to flourish in the coming years. Gayle played an instrumental role for Balkh Legends as they were crowned winners of the inaugural APL on Sunday (October 21).
Gayle, who is the only batsman in the world to score 10,000+ runs in Twenty20 cricket with 21 hundreds, finished the APL as the third-highest run-getter with 315 runs from seven innings at a strike-rate of 172.13. The southpaw smashed the joint-most number of sixes (27) in the tournament.
Chasing 133 in the final against Kabul Zwanan, Gayle top scored with 56 off 34 balls as Balkh Legends reached the target with 11 balls to spare. It was Chris Gayle’s fourth triumphant campaign in T20 competitions after winning the Caribbean Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League and Global T20 League.
“It’s great to be a champion – a fantastic tournament. The guys worked hard and played good cricket right through the tournament,” Gayle was quoted as saying by Cricket Country.
“I must commend [Mohammad] Nabi for the way he led the team. The youngsters stepped up when it counted. The overseas players played a big part as well. So overall everybody played a fantastic part to win this tournament. I’m really happy with the management staff, everybody chipped in,” he added.
Fondly known as the Universe Boss, Gayle also hailed the organisers of Afghanistan Premier League.
“The first time the Afghanistan League was held and I’m glad I was a part of it. I must commend the organisers of the Afghanistan Premier League. I know it is a big and quick turnaround to get the tournament done so quickly. Next year, I’m sure it can be bigger and better. I’m glad I’m a champion and looking forward to next year again,” he asserted.
Gayle was at his absolute best in the last four matches for Balkh Legends. He registered the scores of 80, 73, 54 and 56 to power Legends to the title.
“Before I came here, I was playing fifty over cricket. In my last game for Jamaica, I got a century so that actually gave me some momentum to come here. They have some quality spinners in this tournament. Wickets (here are) sometimes are difficult to bat on. Once you are in good form, with the experience and you can adjust to the conditions and get runs on these sort of wickets,” he concluded.
