Chris Gayle pulls back from CPL to focus on The 6ixty

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Chris Gayle have confirmed that he will not play in CPL this year, to concentrate instead on The 6IXTY for the 2022 season.

Gayle, the leading T20 player of all time, has also been named the official brand ambassador for the new 60-ball tournament which gets underway in St Kitts & Nevis on August 24, 2022.

Gayle said: “I am going for the shorter format this year. I am genuinely excited about the current innovations in the 6ixty and seeing how they play out. In particular I am looking forward to the mystery team ball and hitting two sixes in the first 12 balls to unlock a third PowerPlay over.”

Gayle is the leading T20 player of all time. He will be playing in the tournament and will be acting as host for the six teams. Gayle has the most runs, most hundreds, most sixes and the most scores of fifty or more in T20 cricket.

Gayle has been working with the tournament organisers to develop this innovative and exciting format for which the championship trophy is the namesake of his alias, Universe Boss.

Chris Gayle said: “It is a great feeling to actually have a trophy named after The Universe Boss, something fantastic, and I am really and truly looking forward to it. I am sure people will ask if this is real, a trophy named for Chris Gayle. Yes, it is happening, and I am really happy about it. I am looking forward to all the innovations.”

The tournament will feature six men’s teams and three women’s teams. Each batting team has six wickets – at the fall of the sixth wicket they are all out.

PowerPlay by hitting two sixes in the first 12 balls. This extra PowerPlay over can be taken at any time between overs 3-9

There will be 30 balls bowled from one end before the action switches to the other end for the final 30 balls.

The 30 balls will be delivered as 5 separate overs, with no bowler being able to bowl more than 2 overs for the innings.

If teams do not bowl their overs within the allotted time a member of their team is removed from the field for the final six balls.

Fans will vote for the timing of a “Mystery Free Hit” where a batter can’t be dismissed by the bowler.

(CPL)