While Kieron Pollard may have bid adieu to International cricket and the IPL, his prowess on the cricket field remains undiminished in the domain of domestic T20 leagues. The West Indies colossus continues to display his might, having led MI Emirates to triumph in the ILT20 with a convincing win against Dubai Capitals in the final. Recently, Pollard transitioned into ‘beast mode’ while playing for Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League.
In a dominant performance, Pollard hammered 49 runs in a mere 21 balls, propelling the Karachi Kings to an effortless 7-wicket win against Peshawar Zalmi in the tournament’s sixth match. At 36 years of age, Pollard showed no signs of slowing down, launching an assault on the opposition bowlers. His highlight reel for the day included an absolute demolition of left-arm wrist spinner Waqar Salamkheil’s bowling.
The 15th over of the Kings’ chase was when Pollard chose to unleash hell. The very first delivery, driven to long-off, fetched him a boundary before the show-stopping act on the subsequent ball. Salamkheil, in an attempt to lure Pollard with a flighted delivery on the leg stump, provided just the opportunity the hulking batsman needed. With a mighty swing that cleared his front leg, Pollard connected and sent the ball sailing over long-on for an enormous 114-meter six. The ball didn’t just clear the boundary; it went flying into the fence far away, leaving spectators and commentators alike in awe of the West Indian’s power.
This explosive over saw Pollard rack up 27 runs, decimating Salamkheil’s figures and effectively reducing Peshawar’s target to a mere formality. The Kings cantered to victory just two overs post Pollard’s heroics. Despite a valiant 72 from the bat of Babar Azam for Peshawar Zalmi, which saw him become the quickest to reach the 10000-run milestone in T20s – a full 14 innings faster than the legendary Chris Gayle – his effort was eclipsed by Pollard’s blistering knock.
Karachi Kings had earlier faced a setback in their season opener against Multan Sultans, but the triumph fueled by Pollard’s belligerence now sets the tone for their upcoming fixture against Lahore Qalandars on February 24. Their rivals would undoubtedly be wary of the potential for destruction that Pollard brings to the crease.
As the PSL continues, the impact of Pollard’s continued involvement in the shorter format of the game cannot be overstated. Even as his career in international and premier league cricket has concluded, his bat still speaks a universal language that resonates across venues and amongst fans worldwide. The sheer magnetism of his six-hitting ability and the terror it instills in the hearts of bowlers remain as intense as ever.
The Karachi Kings’ victory with the support of Pollard’s fireworks signals not just a win but a statement of intent. With the competition heating up, Pollard’s form will be key in determining if the Karachi Kings can sustain their momentum and make it through to the later stages of the tournament. With such a dominant force in their ranks, the Kings might just have the x-factor needed to outshine their opposition in the games to come.
Cricket aficionados and PSL enthusiasts will be eager to see if Pollard can continue to be the difference-maker for Karachi Kings, as they attempt to balance the scales against their upcoming opponents. His recent performance certainly bodes well for the team, weaving together a narrative of exhilarating cricket that continues to captivate audiences around the globe.
