[Watch] Kieron Pollard smashes four sixes in the penultimate over to score 19-ball fifty in TKR's thrilling win over SLK in CPL 2024
Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) skipper Kieron Pollard stepped up during an intense run chase with an unbeaten fifty against the St. Lucia Kings (SLK) in the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The explosive veteran batter scored 52 runs off 19 balls as TKR chased down the 188-run target with five balls to spare.
Pollard came into the crease when TKR were in a tricky spot during the run chase. With the score reading 123-4 in the 14th over, they needed a strong finish. The onus was on the skipper after Keacy Carty and Andries Gous departed in quick succession, leaving the equation to 32 runs required off the final three overs.
A tight over by Alzarri Joseph meant that TKR needed 27 runs off the last 12 deliveries. Pollard took on Matthew Forde in the penultimate over, despite the first delivery being a dot ball. The veteran all-rounder slammed four sixes off the next five deliveries, including three in a row, to finish the over off.
Have a look at Pollard's carnage right here:
Pollard set the game up for Akeal Hosein, leaving only three runs for the final over. The all-rounder scored a boundary off the first ball off Joseph to wrap up the game with five balls to spare.
"If it’s my role to finish games, that’s what I’ll do" - Kieron Pollard
Pollard also showed his hitting prowess during The Hundred 2024 when he smashed five successive sixes off Rashid Khan. Although he could not contribute much towards the end of the Southern Brave's campaign, including a four-ball duck in the final, he has made a promising start to the CPL 2024 season.
"We lost some wickets in the middle but that’s why it’s a team sport and we came in and played our part later. If it’s my role to finish games, that’s what I’ll do. Now that I’ve played a lot of cricket around the world, it’s my opportunity to give opportunities and play around others till I call it quits," Pollard said during the post-match presentation.
TKR are placed third in the points table with four points to their name after three matches. They are scheduled to face the Barbados Royals away from home on Saturday, September 14.