DHAKA, Bangladesh, CMC – Chris Gayle was sidelined in the middle of another ferocious innings, when he aggravated a groin injury in the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 yesterday.
The estranged West Indies opener had struck three sixes and two fours in 30 from 16 balls for the Barisal Burners before he was forced to retire hurt with the injury.
Gayle was taken to hospital for a magnetic resonance imaging scan, but initial reports indicated that he may need three weeks to recover from the injury.
The injury placed his participation in the South Africa domestic T20 competition in doubt, where he was supposed to play for the Dolphins.
The Dolphins said in a media release from Durban that Gayle had confirmed he would miss the start of the series there.
In the BPLT20 match, Barisal’s other batsmen failed to maintain the momentum and the Burners reached 125 for six in their 20 overs.
Trinidad & Tobago all-rounder Kevon Cooper collected two wickets for 20 runs from four overs.
Chittagong’s openers Nasir Jamshed, with 81 not out, and Jahurul Islam, with 41, ensured the chase was never in any doubt, as the Kings reached their target with 44 balls.
In the other match, Marlon Samuels scored 36 to help Duronto Rajshahi complete a 14-run victory over Dhaka Gladiators.
Samuels led the way for Duronto, but a hat-trick from Pakistani team-mate and fast bowler Mohammad Sami hastened them to victory.
Scores:
• Chittagong Kings beat Barisal Burners by eight wickets
BARISAL BURNERS 125 for six off 20 overs (Brad Hodge 38, Chris Gayle 30 retired hurt; Enamul Haque 2-12, Kevon Cooper 2-20)
CHITTAGONG KINGS 126 for two off 12.4 overs (Nasir Jamshed 81 not out, Jahurul Islam 41)
• Duronto Rajshahi beat Dhaka Gladiators by 14 runs
DURONTO RAJSHAHI 144 for nine off 20 overs (Marlon Samuels 36, Junaid Siddique 25, Shahzaib Hasan 23; Elias Sunny 2-18, Nazmul Hossain 2-21)
DHAKA GLADIATORS 130 for seven off 20 overs (Imran Nazir 54, Anamul Haque 20; Mohammad Sami 3-23 including a hat-trick, Monir Hossain 2-22)