ICCWT20: Gayle-storm blows Afghanistan away in warm-up

By Fathima Zanaida

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (TheSportsNext) September 17, 2012: The world’s most explosive batsman Chris Gayle put on show his skills on Monday when he manhandled Afghanistan to help West Indies record an easy victory in their warm-up match of the ICC World Twenty20 2012 (ICCWT20) at P Sara Oval in Colombo.

Chris Gayle blasted 65 unbeaten runs from just 48 deliveries hitting four staggering sixes and five boundaries and showed no respect to any of the Afghan bowlers.

Afghanistan could never prove themselves a good match for their West Indian opponents as not only their bowlers but even batsmen couldn’t raise their game to the optimum level.

West Indies used their fast bowlers to demolish Afghanistan first up after Nawroz Mangal won the toss and decided to bat first.

Afghanistan could only managed 122 for seven from their 20 overs and only Asghar Stanikzai (53 from 50 – 5 fours, 2 sixes) impressed the cricket fans as well as experts with his resilience but none of the other batsmen could support him and the second highest total was 15 from captain Nawroz Mangal.

West Indian express fast bowler Fidel Edwards showed no mercy at all and captured three wickets for 24 runs from his four overs while winner of ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year Award Sunil Narine also made his presence felt by taking two wickets for just 23 runs. Ravi Rampaul and skipper Darren Sammy also captured a wicket each for 26 and 15 runs, respectively.

West Indies opening pair of Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith (13 from 20 – 2 fours) started the innings in a cautious manner. Mohammad Nabi got rid of Smith when the total reached 29 in the sixth over.

While the incoming batsman Johnson Charles (12 from 19 – 1 four) found it difficult to pick up pace, Chris Gayle came to his own and hit four towering sixes to pace up the innings and later got perfect partner in Marlon Samuels (15 not out from 12 – 1 six) as the duo completed the target with 25 balls to spare.

Mohammad Nabi was the only impressive bowler for Afghanistan as he took both the wickets for 29 runs from his four overs.