WATCH: Kieron Pollard deceives Bhanuka Rajapaksa with a brilliant slower ball in CPL 2024

Sep 11, 2024

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WATCH: Kieron Pollard deceives Bhanuka Rajapaksa with a brilliant slower ball in CPL 2024

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In a closely fought contest at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) pulled off a remarkable four-wicket win over Saint Lucia Kings in Match 12 of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024. A powerful display from captain Kieron Pollard proved decisive as TKR successfully chased down the target of 188 with just five balls to spare.

Kiron Pollard gets rid of Bhanuka Rajapaksa with a slower delivery

Notably, Pollard is widely known for his explosive batting, splendid fielding and handy bowling. He once again showcased his bowling prowess. In the crucial 18th over, Polly removed Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who had scored 33. On the fourth ball of the over, Pollard delivered a full ball on the off-stump, cleverly reducing the pace. Rajapaksa, attempting an early shot, mistimed it.

The ball soared into the air toward long-on, where Jayden Seales took an easy catch. Pollard followed it up with a finger on lips celebration, reaffirming his dominance in the match with both style and authority.

Saint Lucia Kings Post Competitive 187/6

Speaking about the match, Saint Lucia Kings, after being sent in to bat, posted a competitive total of 187/6 in their 20 overs. Their innings was anchored by Roston Chase, who played a measured knock of 56 off 40 balls, featuring 2 fours and 3 sixes. Early fireworks from opener Johnson Charles (29 off 14) and skipper Faf du Plessis (34 off 26) set a solid platform, while Rajapaksa contributed a handy 33 off 29 balls.

However, the Trinbago Knight Riders’ bowlers did well to contain the run flow in the middle overs. Sunil Narine was the standout, finishing with figures of 2/13 from his 4 overs, while Waqar Salamkheil (2/37) and Pollard (1/22) picked up key wickets at crucial moments.

Also READ: CPL 2024 – Kieron Pollard’s Trinbago Knight Riders edge out Saint Lucia Kings in high-scoring thriller

Pollard’s blistering knock steals the show

Chasing 188, Trinbago Knight Riders faced early pressure, losing Jason Roy (16) and Sunil Narine (14) cheaply. However, opener Shaqkere Parris took charge with an aggressive 57 off 33 balls, smashing 6 sixes to keep TKR in the hunt.

As the required rate climbed, it was Pollard who took matters into his own hands, unleashing a destructive 52 off just 19 balls, including a stunning 7 sixes. Pollard’s audacious hitting in the final overs swung the momentum in TKR’s favor, and despite losing partners at the other end, he saw his side home in the 20th over.

Saint Lucia Kings’ bowlers tried to make inroads, with Matthew Forde (2/49) and Noor Ahmad (2/35) providing breakthroughs, but they couldn’t stop Pollard’s late onslaught. Unsurprisingly, Pollard was named the Player of the Match for his match-winning performance with the bat. His leadership under pressure and ability to finish the game in style gave TKR a crucial victory in the early stages of the CPL 2024.