In what can only be described as a record-breaking feat, former West Indies cricketer Kieron Pollard achieved a monumental milestone by hitting Afghanistan’s revered spinner Rashid Khan for five consecutive sixes in a single set during The Hundred. This exhilarating performance was not just a personal victory for Pollard but also served as a pivotal point in leading Southern Brave to a nail-biting 2-wicket win over Trent Rockets.
Playing for Southern Brave, Pollard’s spectacular feat has made him the first player in the history of The Hundred to hit every ball of a set for six. For T20 aficionados and those familiar with The Hundred’s unique format, this is an extraordinary achievement that further cements Pollard’s status as a powerhouse in limited-overs cricket.
At the onset of his innings, Pollard found himself struggling. He was hampered at 6 runs off 14 balls, creating a daunting situation for his team. With the game slipping away and the hosts needing 49 runs off the final 20 balls, the atmosphere in the stadium was tense. It was at this critical juncture that Rashid Khan, recognized globally for his exceptional spin bowling, came onto bowl his final set. What followed was nothing short of spectacle.
Pollard, well-known for his aggressive batting style, unleashed an assault on Rashid, sending balls flying all around the park. Each delivery from Rashid seemed to land perfectly in Pollard’s strike zone. This single set saw Pollard accumulating a staggering 30 runs. By the time this carnage concluded, the equation had significantly altered, with Southern Brave now needing just 19 runs off the last 15 balls.
Even though Pollard’s valiant innings ended at 45 off 23 balls, his substantial contribution had already made a significant impact on the match. It fell to Chris Jordan to carry the team over the finish line, which he did with aplomb, hitting a maximum on the penultimate ball, securing a thrilling victory for Southern Brave.
For fans eager to relive Pollard’s explosive moment, the entire sequence has been captured and is available for viewing online.
Pollard’s heroics aren’t a one-off.
. In a T20I match against Sri Lanka in 2021, he achieved the rare feat of hitting spinner Akila Dananjaya for six sixes in one over, placing him in an exclusive club of cricketers who have managed this extraordinary feat.
Reflecting on his performance in The Hundred, a jubilant Pollard revealed his thought process during an after-match interview. “I knew I had to make a move at some point. The start was sluggish, but I realized that the pitch wasn’t conducive for just walking in and belting the ball. I had to be calculated in my approach and choose my bowler wisely.”
Pollard continued, “I’ve faced Rashid countless times, and he has dismissed me on multiple occasions. I had to gauge the conditions and predict the kind of deliveries he would bowl. He opted for fuller deliveries, which are ideally right in my hitting zone. At that moment, I felt compelled to capitalize and couldn’t afford to hold back. Rashid is undeniably world-class, but this was one of those rare occasions where I had the upper hand.”
Pollard’s words encapsulate not just the strategy involved in high-stakes cricket but also the sheer determinism and presence of mind required to exploit even the slightest advantage against a bowler of Rashid Khan’s caliber.
This remarkable performance by Pollard has not only garnered widespread acclaim but also set a new benchmark in The Hundred, a tournament that continues to capture international attention with its fast-paced, innovative format.
As the cricketing world celebrates Pollard’s latest achievement, the Southern Brave team will be buoyed by his form and experience as they eye deeper progress in the tournament. Pollard has once again demonstrated why he remains one of the most feared and respected power-hitters in the game, capable of changing the course of a match within a matter of balls.
Cricket fans and analysts will undoubtedly continue to dissect this extraordinary feat, but for now, Kieron Pollard stands atop yet another statistical achievement, basking in the glory of a historical moment that has etched his name into the annals of the sport. This episode serves as a thrilling reminder of the unpredictable and electrifying nature of cricket, where moments of brilliance can turn the tide in an instant, much to the delight of fans worldwide.
