Hard-hitting Chris Gayle smashed the third fastest 100 in Twenty20 Internationals as West Indies started their Twenty20 World Cup campaign with a decisive six-wicket win over England in India on Wednesday.
He hit the first century of the sixth World Twenty20 to underline his reputation as cricket’s most destructive batsman.
Gayle smashed 11 sixes in the process to become the leading six-hitter in Twenty20 Internationals, going past New Zealand’s Brendon McCullm’s tally of 91 sixes. He now has 98 sixes in T20s International.
Gayle achieved the feat in just 46 games, compared to McCullum’s 70 matches.
He became the first player in Twenty20 Internationals to score two centuries in the WorldT20. He smashed 117 in the 2007 World Cup against South Africa in Johannesburg.
The Jamaican superstar completed his half century off 27 balls, hitting three fours and five sixes.
The left-hander required only another 20 balls to complete his century and smashed six more sixes and two boundaries that included three straight successive sixes off off-spinner Moen Ali.
Earlier, West Indies won the toss and sent in England to bat.
The England innings were built around 48 from Joe Root, 30 from Jos Butler and an unbeaten 27 from skipper Eoin Morgan.
England made 182 for six wickets off their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing a formidable 183 for victory at the Wankhede Stadium, West Indies reached their target with 11 balls and four wickets remaining. Gayle was on 100 not out.
