ICC World T20 : Chris Gayle's 47-ball 100

Interesting facts you must know about his knock in ICC World T20

West Indies opener Chris Gayle on Wednesday set the ICC World Twenty20 on fire with a magnificent 47-ball 100 against England in the team's opening encounter.

Gayle, who took some time to settle down in the first few overs, showed no mercy in the latter part of innings, as a result of which the Darren Sammy-led side registered a six-wicket win.

Here are some interesting facts you must know about Gayle's ton:
Gayle is now the only batsman in world cricket to score two centuries in ICC World Twenty20.

During his blistering knock, the dynamic left-hander surpassed Brendon McCullum's record for maximum number of sixes in T20Is.


Gayle's unbeaten 100-run knock was the fourth fastest ton in the history of T20 internationals.

Chris Gayle was the first batsman to score a century in World Twenty20. He had hit 117 runs against South Africa in 2007 edition of the tournament.

Afridi and Gayle announce batsmen's arrival in World T20

The ICC World Twenty20 started off on an unusual note when the New Zealand spin trio foxed the famed Indian batting line-up to record a stunning 47-run run victory in the opening clash of the marquee tournament. It turned out to be a low-scoring event — something not usually associated with the format.

However, Wednesday witnessed explosive batsmen in Chris Gayle and Shahid Afridi flag the tournament off on the batsmen's behalf by tearing the English and Bangladeshi bowling attacks.

Chris Gayle (left) and Shahid Afridi were the highlights of the West Indian and Pakistani batting performances respectively. AFP

While Calypso King Gayle delivered one of his finest knocks yet, bringing up his second century in a World T20 (in just 48 deliveries) to help West Indies chase the 183-run target set by England, Afridi gave a fitting reply with the bat to his critics when he hammered a 19-ball 49 which, along with half-centuries from Mohammad Hafeez (64) and Ahmed Shehzad (52), helped Pakistan post a winning total on the board.

Gayle unleashed his batting skills as he struck five boundaries and 11 massive sixes to take his team to victory as the team scored 183 for 4 in 18.1 overs.

He stayed calm, composed and took on the bowling to bring up his ton in just 48 balls. He was well assisted by Andre Russell (15 not out) as the duo ensured their side got past England's total to register their first victory of the competition. Check out the highlights below:

Missed @henrygayle's whirlwind 100 for #WI v #ENG? WATCH now! https://t.co/WU4CykXf6W #WT20 pic.twitter.com/BH4VhK66ky

— ICC (@ICC) March 17, 2016

Pakistan had already gotten off to a good start when Afridi walked in the middle much to the delight of the spectators. And he did not disappoint as he clobbered his opposite number Mashrafe Mortaza for 18 runs in an over. After hammering four sixes, and as many fours, he was caught by Mahmudullah off the bowling of Taskin Ahmed just one run short of a well-deserved fifty. Relive his knock in the highlights below:

.@SAfridiOfficial rolled back the years for #PAK with the bat v #BAN! WATCH: https://t.co/a5mz5zWpIr #WT20 pic.twitter.com/Bb2RxRuqbN

— ICC (@ICC) March 17, 2016

While West Indies face Sri Lanka, who are going through a woeful patch in recent times, in their next game on 20 March at Bengaluru, Pakistan face arch-rivals and neighbours India in an all-important clash at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on 19 March.