West Indies T20 star Chris Gayle stroked an unbeaten half-century and was backed up by stingy death bowling from Dwayne Bravo as Fortune Barishal eased to a 12-run win over Sylhet Sunrisers in the Bangladesh Premier League on Tuesday.
Gayle’s 51 from 45 balls provided the backbone for Fortune, who posted a formidable 199 for 4 after being sent in to bat. The team was off to a solid start after the big left-hander formed part of an opening stand with Munim Shahriar to put 72 on the board. The partnership was broken after Shahriar was bowled by Sohag Gazi for 51.
Wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan then joined Gayle at the crease but was dismissed after just four balls for 2. Barishal captain Shakib Al Hasan then joined the West Indian to push the score along, adding 38 from just 19 balls before being caught off Alauddin Babu.
Towhid Hridoy added 10 before Bravo joined Gayle at the crease and added an unbeaten 34 off 13, as the two put on 42 for the last wicket.
In response, the Sunrisers made a game of the total after opener Collin Ingram put on a brilliant 90 from 49. Bravo, however, continued to feature prominently throughout the match, claiming a catch at long-on off Najmul Hossain Shanto to dismiss Ingram and ending the late innings resistance of Mosaddek Hossain, who had 34 from 21, in the final over. Bravo successfully defended 24 for the last over.
The win was the 6th for Barishal who top the table with 13 points.