The West Indies' Chris Gayle celebrates after completing his century against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy qualifiers in Jaipur, India, yesterday. - Reuters

JAIPUR, India (Reuters):

WEST INDIES opener Chris Gayle lashed 104 not out as the defending champions crushed Bangladesh by 10 wickets to ease into the main round of the Champions Trophy yesterday.

The 27-year-old left-hander neatly paced his innings to reach his 13th one-day hundred and spur West Indies to 164 without loss with 13.2 overs remaining after Bangladesh had been dismissed for 161.

Jamaican Gayle struck 11 fours and three huge sixes from 118 deliveries, racing past fellow left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who made 52 not out.

Main round

The West Indies, who beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets in their first game of the four-team qualifying league, joined Sri Lanka in the eight-team main round with a game to spare.

The two teams meet in their final game in Mumbai on Saturday. Bangladesh and Zimbabwe play an inconsequential tie tomorrow.

Lara praised Gayle's all-round contribution and predicted a good run for West Indies and Sri Lanka in the tournament.

"Chris is a tremendous player," he said. "He is one of the best all-rounders of the world."

Gayle won the man-of-the-match award for the second game in a row, after scoring 41 and taking three wickets against Zimbabwe.

He curbed his aggression at the start, reaching his first 50 off 78 balls, but then switched gears to reach his second half-century off just 38 balls, playing shots all around the wicket with his sixes sailing into the stands.