The West Indies batsman, Chris Gayle's blazed a half-century off 17 balls to power West Indies to a four-wicket victory over South Africa in the first Twenty20 international at Newlands.
Chris Gayle Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The left-hander bludgeoned the ball all round the ground to record the joint second fastest fifty in Twenty20 international history, finishing with 77 from 31 deliveries as the touring side reached their target of 166 with four balls to spare.
Gayle was out trying to reverse-sweep leg-spinner Imran Tahir before leaving the ground with the score on 114 in under 11 overs to a standing ovation.
After South Africa had won the toss, they posted a competitive score of 165 for four built around an unbeaten 51 from 40 balls by th left-hander, Rilee Rossouw, while the captain, Faf du Plessis, struck a brisk 38 from 20 balls
The 35-year-old, who now holds the record for the fastest Twenty20 half-century for the West Indies after shaving three balls off the previous best by Kieron Pollard, bludgeoned five fours and eight massive sixes.
The second Twenty20 will be played in Johannesburg on Sunday before the final match in Durban on Wednesday.
