Chris Gayle Equals Yuvraj Singh's Record, Slams 12-Ball 50 in Big Bash Twenty20

Chris Gayle once again showed his prowess as Twenty20 specialist by hitting a 12-ball 50, equalling Yuvraj Singh's 2007 record, for Melbourne Renegades against Adelaide Strikers in a Big Bash League semifinal in Melbourne on Monday. (Chris Gayle Under Fire Again For Big Bash League No-Run)

Gayle's innings included seven sixes and two fours. He was ultimately dismissed for 56 off 17 balls by Travis Head, with the strike-rate reading an incredible 329.41. Gayle's knock also smashed the Big Bash record for the fastest fifty, from 18 balls, jointly held by Tim Ludeman and Chris Lynn. (Chris Gayle Should Be Banned Worldwide, Says Ian Chappell)

Yuvraj Singh had set the record at the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup against England in Durban - a knock that included six sixes in an over from Stuart Broad. (Chris Gayle Fined For 'Don't Blush, Baby' Comment During Interview With Female Reporter During Big Bash League Match)

Gayle Storm at Work

With Renegades needing 171 from 16 overs in order to qualify for Big Bash final, opener Gayle took only 12 balls to reach the 50-run mark. (Chris Gayle Says Sorry After 'Joke' on Female Reporter)

He started with a bang by hitting four successive sixes in the opening over by Greg West. Gayle did not stop there as in the third over he scored 22 off Ben Laughlin to take himself to 44 from 11 deliveries. Laughlin was hit for two sixes and one four.  

He reached the 50-run mark on the first ball of the fourth over, from Travis Head, by hitting a six in the long-on region.

In Losing Cause

Gayle was finally dismissed by Head in the sixth over as he top-edged to wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman, while going for a slog.  After Gayle's dismissal, Renegades could not recover and lost the semifinal by 27 runs.

Gayle also holds the record for the fastest Twenty20 ton. He achieved the feat during the 2013 Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bangalore, reaching the triple-figure mark in just 30 balls against Pune Warriors.

The Jamaican is also the holder of the record for fastest double hundred in ODIs. He scored a double ton off just 138 balls against Zimbabwe in the 2015 World Cup.

Trouble-Maker

Chris Gayle courted controversy recently for an interview with Channel 10 jounalist Mel McLaughlin during a Big Bash League match between Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes in Hobart. (Is Chris Gayle Serial Offender? New Allegations Come up After 'Joke' on Reporter in Big Bash)

Gayle said he was happy to be interviewed by McLaughlin "just to see your eyes for the first time" during his sides' win over the Hobart Hurricanes.

"Nice, so hopefully we can win this game and we can have a drink after," he had said.

"Don't blush baby," the Jamaican added, prompting McLaughlin to shake her head and reply, "I'm not blushing."

Gayle later apologised for his offence, saying it was a "simple joke".