Gayle shines in Zimbabwe T20 event

Harare: Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle's efforts went in vain as the Matabeleland Tuskers came up short against the Mountaineers, losing their Stanbic Bank T20 Series semi-final by seven wickets.

Gayle cracked a typically entertaining 45 to help the Tuskers up to 167 for six in their 20 overs.

However, Hamilton Masakadza's fluent, unbeaten 80 put the Mountaineers on top, as they cruised to their target with four balls to spare.

Chris Gayle smashed 45 off 34 balls, but his team, Matabeleland Tuskers lost to Mountaineers.

Despite the defeat, the Tuskers can still qualify for the final if they beat the Eagles in a play-off on Saturday.

Opting to bat first at the Harare Sports Club, the Tuskers were given a handy start by the explosive Gayle who smashed three fours and two sixes during his 34 ball innings.

He put on 40 from 27 balls with Tom Smith (14) and added a further 40 off 26 balls for the third wicket with Charles Coventry (45).

Gayle eventually fell to a catch at third man by Timycen Maruma off Prosper Utseya (2-23) in the 14th over, leaving Coventry and Craig Ervine (23), to keep the innings afloat.

In reply, Mountaineers got a blazing start from Masakadza and Phil Mustard, with the pair posting 64 off 41 balls for the first wicket.

Masakadza carved out three fours and five sixes off 56 balls while Mustard's 44 came from 24 balls and included three fours and two sixes.

When Mountaineers slipped to 120 for three in the 15th over, Masakadza and New Zealander Chris Harris, 21 not out, combined in a 50-run, fourth wicket stand to steer their side to victory and into the finals of the competition.

Gayle also sent down four overs for 25 runs and snared one wicket.

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