Gayle and Walton Power West Indies to Thrilling WCL Victory
Chris Gayle's explosive 56 and Chadwick Walton's unbeaten 90 led West Indies Champions to a thrilling five-wicket win over Bangladesh Champions.
The legendary Chris Gayle and the unstoppable Chadwick Walton orchestrated a spectacular chase to lead the West Indies Champions to a five-wicket victory over the Bangladesh Champions. In a high-octane encounter at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium during the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2026, the West Indian side successfully hunted down a daunting target of 219 runs.
Gayle Sets the Stage with Explosive Start
The chase began with a thunderous assault from the West Indian openers. Chris Gayle, leading from the front, provided the necessary momentum by smashing 56 runs from just 25 deliveries. His innings was a masterclass in power hitting, featuring four massive sixes and six boundaries. Gayle shared a blistering 67-run opening partnership with Lendl Simmons, who contributed a quick-fire 20 off 11 balls, leaving the Bangladesh bowlers searching for answers early in the innings.
Walton’s Unbeaten Heroics
While Gayle provided the spark, it was Chadwick Walton who provided the fire to finish the job. The wicketkeeper-batter played a sensational, unbeaten knock of 90 runs off only 43 balls. Walton’s innings was characterized by sheer dominance, including five boundaries and eight towering sixes. He anchored the innings through the middle overs, ensuring the target remained within reach despite occasional pressure.
Walton received crucial support from the middle order:
- Raymon Reifer: Scored 20 runs off 15 balls.
- Jermaine Blackwood: Added 14 runs off 11 deliveries.
- Dwayne Bravo: Remained unbeaten on 5 runs.
The chase reached its crescendo in the 20th over when Walton struck a decisive six off Mahmudullah to seal the victory for the West Indies Champions.
Bangladesh Champions' Strong Batting Display
Earlier in the match, the Bangladesh Champions set a formidable total of 218/4 in their 20 overs. The innings was headlined by a magnificent performance from Rony Talukdar, who hammered 96 runs off 56 balls, including nine fours and five sixes. He was ably supported by Mahmudullah, who scored a rapid 43 off 21 balls, and Fazle Mahmud, who contributed 36 runs off 22 deliveries.
Bowling Summary
Despite the high score, the West Indies bowling unit managed to keep the contest competitive. Rayad Emrit was the standout performer with figures of 2/33, while Dwayne Bravo and Raymon Reifer picked up one wicket each. For the Bangladesh side, Kamrul Islam was the most effective bowler, taking three wickets for 31 runs in his four-over spell. Enamul Haque jnr also claimed two wickets, including the scalp of Carlos Brathwaite.
Following the victory, WCL owner Ajay Sethi lauded the West Indies Champions for their clinical and aggressive performance on the field.