Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) captain Kieron Pollard delivered a crucial unbeaten fifty in a tense run chase against the St. Lucia Kings (SLK) in the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The experienced batsman scored 52 runs from 19 balls, leading TKR to successfully chase the 188-run target with five balls remaining.
When TKR was in a difficult position during the run chase, Pollard came on the field. They needed a strong finish as the score was 123-4 in the 14th over. The captain had to deliver after Keacy Carty and Andries Gous were out within a short time, and only 32 runs were left to win from 3 overs.
Alzarri Joseph bowled tight over that required TKR to hit 27 runs from the last 12 deliveries. Pollard faced Matthew Forde in the penultimate over, although no runs were made from the first ball. However, he hit four sixes in five balls including three consecutive ones at the end of this over.
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— Cricket Cricket (@cricket543210) September 11, 2024
Kieron Pollard is awarded @Dream11 MVP! Well done Polly 🙌🏾 #CPL24 #SLKvTKR #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport #Dream11 pic.twitter.com/AASf9KO7mC
— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 11, 2024
The game was set by Pollard for Akeal Hosein, leaving only three runs for the last over. To finish off the match five balls short, the all-rounder scored a boundary off Rashid’s first ball.
“If my role is to finish games, then that’s what I’ll do”-Kieron Pollard
Pollard went on to demonstrate his hitting potential during The Hundred 2024 when he hit five consecutive sixes off Rashid Khan. He was not able to do much for Southern Brave towards the end of their campaign, including a four-ball duck in the final. However, this year is looking good for him based on what we have seen so far in the 2024 CPL 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.
After three matches, TKR has acquired four points, putting them in third place in the points table. They are set to play against the Barbados Royals on the road on Saturday, September 14.
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