In a breathtaking display of power-hitting that sent fans into a frenzy, West Indian legend Kieron Pollard rewrote the record books during a thrilling ILT20 2025 encounter. Playing for MI Emirates, Pollard unleashed an astonishing assault, plundering 30 runs from a single over bowled by Dubai Capitals' pacer, Dushmantha Chameera. This monumental feat was the cornerstone of a spectacular comeback victory for his team at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday, December 28, 2024.
The Stage for Carnage: A Tense Chase
The match was poised on a knife's edge when Pollard walked out to bat. MI Emirates, chasing a competitive target set by the Dubai Capitals, needed a burst of acceleration. The Capitals, led by skipper David Warner who scored a brisk 67, had posted a challenging total. The Emirates' chase required a hero, and Pollard stepped up with devastating effect.
The moment of destruction arrived in the 17th over of the innings. With the required run rate climbing, Pollard decided to take matters into his own hands against the experienced Sri Lankan speedster, Dushmantha Chameera. What followed was a masterclass in clean, brutal hitting that left the bowler and the fielding team shell-shocked.
Deconstructing the Mayhem: Ball-by-Ball Annihilation
Pollard's onslaught was both calculated and ferocious. He did not spare a single delivery, sending each one sailing over the boundary ropes. The sequence of runs in that fateful over was a spectacle in itself:
- The first ball was dispatched for a massive six over long-on, setting the tone.
- A powerful slash over point resulted in a four off the second delivery.
- The third and fourth balls disappeared for consecutive sixes, with Pollard's immense strength on full display.
- He saved the best for last, hammering the fifth and sixth balls for two more towering sixes to complete the over.
In a matter of six deliveries, the equation of the game transformed completely. The over's tally read: 6, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6, adding up to a staggering 30 runs. This incredible burst propelled MI Emirates from a position of pressure to one of commanding authority.
Impact and Aftermath: Sealing a Memorable Win
Pollard's blitzkrieg was not just about the numbers; it was a decisive psychological blow that shattered the Dubai Capitals' morale. His unbeaten knock, which included that historic over, ensured MI Emirates crossed the finish line with relative comfort in the end. The victory was crucial for the team's standings in the ILT20 2025 points table.
This performance served as a potent reminder of Pollard's enduring class and match-winning abilities in the T20 format, even as he transitions into a veteran role. His ability to single-handedly change the complexion of a game within a few balls remains unmatched. For the Dubai Capitals and Dushmantha Chameera, it was a harsh lesson in the perils of bowling to a set Pollard at the death, a scenario feared by bowling attacks around the world for over a decade.
The match will be remembered for years to come, primarily for that one explosive over where Kieron Pollard turned a cricket pitch into his personal playground, delivering a performance that epitomizes the excitement and unpredictability of the International League T20.
