Twitter Reactions: Gayle-storm knocks Kandahar Knights out of the tournament

The Kandahar Knights struggled throughout the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) to stay in contention for the semi-finals. But they were unfortunate to be at the receiving end of the Chris Gayle storm and were knocked out of the tournament. Nothing went their way in the must-win game and though Brendon McCullum came back into form, it was too late for them.

After being invited to bat first, there was no magical knock from the Knights’ skipper Asghar Afghan this time around. Both the openers were back in the hut by the eighth over and only 36 runs were on the board. Soon they were reduced to 49/4 after which McCullum and Riki Wessels joined hands and stitched 65 runs for the fifth wicket in close to six overs.

The Kiwi batsman also finally found his groove and smashed his first half-century this season. Just when he was set to make a good start count, Ravi Bopara got better of him. Wessels also scored 39 runs during his stay in the middle which propelled the Knights to a decent total of 141 runs after 20 overs.

Gayle sucks the life out of the Knights

Kandahar Knights needed a stellar effort from their bowlers to qualify for the knockouts. But Chris Gayle was in the mood to smash the bowlers out of the park. He was fresh after taking a much-needed rest the other day. Sayed Shirzad was at the receiving end of the assault as 24 runs taken off the fifth over of the innings. He has been their best bowler in this tournament and the way Gayle attacked literally left the Knights wondering about what struck them.

The Universe Boss slammed a 16-ball half-century even as he sent the ball to Mars in the next over as well. Just when there were thoughts of the cricketer reaching the elusive three-figure mark, Karim Janat saved the day for his team as the legendary batsman missed to hit the low full toss out of the park. But he had done the damage and scored 73 off just 22 balls with five fours and eight massive maximums before getting out.

Waqar Salamkheil then picked a couple of quick wickets and tried to make things interesting but to no avail. The Legends had enough firepower in their kitty as they romped home with more than two overs to spare and the Knights were finally knocked out of the APL.

Here’s how Twitter reacted during the match:

17 Year old Waqar Salamkheil turning it on for Kandahar. Two wkts for him . Another teen left arm chinaman from Afaghanstan. ~~ Balkh Legends are on 96/3 chasing moderate score of 141. #APLT20

— Dude from Phogatpur (@subedi_parjal) October 18, 2018

Chris Gayle

73
22 balls
5 fours
8 sixes
331 SR#APLT20

— VIRAT'S DHONI 🇮🇳 (@Cricketician_) October 18, 2018

A Blistering Knock of 73(22) by Universe Boss comes to an end,
5×4,6×8!#APLT20

— Captain 🏏 (@iEatCricket) October 18, 2018

@henrygayle on fire #APLT20 #cricket#Kandahar #BalkhVsKandahar#Afghanistan_Premier_League@ACBofficials @rashidkhan_19 @jafarhaand @ICC @Cricketracker @ARG_AFG @afgexecutive @ZimCricketv @Mujeeb_Zadran @realpreityzinta @lionsdenkxip

— Farmanullah 🇦🇫 (@FarmanullahN1) October 18, 2018

Back to killing bowlers @henrygayle #APLT20 #BalkhVsKandahar What a entertainer 👏 👏

— amir hussain (@Iam_amir86) October 18, 2018

GAYLE STORM
Fifty of just 16 balls, 6×6! #APLT20

— Captain 🏏 (@iEatCricket) October 18, 2018

When Minro was on 11, @henrygayle got out for 73 😲😲
Brutal Hitting #APL2018

— Mr.Perfect (@mr_perfect278) October 18, 2018

@henrygayle is on fire! #UniverseBoss scores his second half-century of Gulbahar @APLT20official off just 16 deliveries which included 6 sixes and 3 fours.#APLT20 #GAPLT20 #WeyarDaAfghanano #BLvKK pic.twitter.com/V1fEJ8f3cJ

— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 18, 2018

2 Minute Silence For Those Who Didnt Take Gayle 😝😝😝 #Dream11 #Dream11team #APLT20 #APL2018 #APLT2018

— Mansi Prajapati (@Mansi1919) October 18, 2018

Just impossible to know which games Gayle tries in these days…. #APLT20

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) October 18, 2018

He is king of T20 cricket

— Samad Khan (@iamSam5426) October 18, 2018

Boss is 🔙 😎😎😎😎😎😎
🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏👏👌👌👌👌👌
Brilliant Innings by @henrygayle
But I haven't yet knew why don't you come to T20 series against India??? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

— Vasu Deva Rao (@VasuDevaRa0) October 18, 2018

You've just gotta feel sorry for anyone bowling against Chris Gayle 🏏

— Aidan 🐙 (@AidanBall1) October 18, 2018

This @henrygayle boy can play till 45 or 50 years….put him in the third man position while fielding….and let him bowl + BAT … never ages… @virendersehwag can make the best coach actually..he picking Gayle back in IPL was a masterstroke! #APL

— Sai Bharadwaj (@saibharadwaj) October 18, 2018

Brendon McCullum at his very best….
But now he is gone

— Just Cricket 🏏 (@BatBallStumps) October 18, 2018

Brendon McCullum is dealing in sixes against balkh legends……batting at 39…. his highest score in the tournament…#AfghanistanPremierLeague

— Arjun (@f5ocietyMember) October 18, 2018

Get the latest News and updates from Afghanistan Premier League (APL). Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.