Chris Gayle scored a relatively patient half-century in a role of anchor to steer Fortune Barishal to a 12-run victory over Sylhet Sunrisers in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) today (February 8).

Gayle scored 51 from 45 balls as Fortune Barishal scored 199-4 from their allotment of 20 overs. The Universe Boss shared in a 72-run opening stand with fellow opener Munim Shahriar, who was much more explosive scoring 51 from just 28 balls with six fours and three sixes.

Gayle also shared in a 45-run third-wicket partnership with Shakib al Hasan, who was the dominant partner, scoring 38 in just 19 balls. Shakib smashed two fours and four sixes in his short stay at the crease.

Gayle then stitched together an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership with Dwayne Bravo, who belted 34 from just 13 balls. The Trinidadian smashed four sixes and a four that propelled Fortune Barishal from 157-4 to their winning total.

Gayle’s unbeaten 51 included four fours and two sixes.

OTHER VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

Sylhet Sunrisers came up short of their target despite a 49-ball 90 from Colin Ingram, whose innings was dotted with 16 fours and a six.

There were other valuable contributions from Mosaddek Hossain, whose 34 came from 21 balls and included four fours and two sixes.

Alauddin Babu made things interesting at the death smashing two sixes and a four in his unbeaten 12-ball 22 but it was all in vain as Najmul Hossain Shanto (2-1), Shakib (2-23) and Bravo (2-43) combined to restrict their opponents to 187-6.

The win put Fortune Barishal four points clear at the top of the table with 13 points from nine games. However, they have played two games more than second-placed Comilla Victorians. Meanwhile, Sylhet Sunrisers lie at the bottom of the table with three points from their eight games played.