Watch: Kieron Pollard treats Rashid Khan like a schoolboy, smashes five consecutive sixes in the Hundred 2024
Published - 11 Aug 2024, 10:05 AM | Updated - 24 Aug 2024, 07:38 AM
Veteran all-rounder Kieron Pollard showcased his hard-hitting skills against Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid Khan during the match between the Southern Brave and Trent Rockets. Kieron Pollard smashed Rashid Khan for five consecutive sixes during the 24th match of The Hundred Men's Competition 2024.
The Southern Brave defeated the Trent Rockets by two wickets at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday, August 10. Southern Brave Chris Jordan delivered an impressive performance. Jordan took three wickets for 22 runs in 20 balls as the Rockets managed to score 126 runs for the loss of eight wickets.
In the run chase of 127, the Southern Brave lost six wickets for 78 runs in 76 balls. They needed 49 runs from the last 20 balls to win the match. Pollard scored just six runs off his first 14 deliveries. Captain Lewis Gregory brought back Rashid Khan, who had only conceded 10 runs in his first 15 balls.
Watch: Kieron Pollard Hits Five Consecutive Sixes Off Rashid Khan
Kieron Pollard changed gears by smashing consecutive sixes off Rashid Khan. Pollard started the over with a six-over deep mid-wicket, followed by another over the long-off fence.
He hit the third delivery in the same direction. Pollard smashed the fourth ball over deep mid-wicket and cleared long-off on the last ball.
The Hundred’s official handle shared the video of Kieron Pollard's brutal hitting on social media account X (formerly known as Twitter). "Kieron Pollard hitting FIVE SIXES IN A ROW!" wrote the caption.
Kieron Pollard hitting FIVE SIXES IN A ROW! 😱#<!---->T<!---->h<!---->e<!---->H<!---->u<!---->n<!---->d<!---->r<!---->e<!---->d | #<!---->R<!---->o<!---->a<!---->d<!---->T<!---->o<!---->T<!---->h<!---->e<!---->E<!---->l<!---->i<!---->m<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->t<!---->o<!---->r p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->W<!---->G<!---->I<!---->g<!---->P<!---->F<!---->R<!---->J<!---->A<!---->P
— The Hundred (@thehundred) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4
The former West Indies captain became the first batter to hit sixes off every ball of an over in The Hundred format. The target came down to 19 runs from 15 balls. Pollard was dismissed shortly after, but the Southern Brave secured victory with one ball remaining.
Played A Lot Against Rashid Khan - Kieron Pollard
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Pollard revealed his strategy against Rashid Khan. Pollard stated that he was familiar with Rashid's lines and lengths, having faced the Afghan spinner frequently. Pollard said that he backed his strengths and acknowledged Rashid as a world-class bowler.
"Played a lot against him. He has got me out on a lot of times; had to see what was happening, but I knew the sort of lines and lengths he is gonna bowl, and just backed myself if he bowls short I'm gonna go across, and if he comes full and I'm gonna back my strength which is to hit straight.
"He bowl three fuller balls and it was right into my arc, so I couldn't stop at that point of time. I had to get maximum. But again Rashid is a world class bowler...played a lot against each other," Pollard said.
Southern Brave is in second place in the eight-team points table, with 10 points from five wins in seven games and a net run rate (NRR) of 0.595. Oval Invincibles, the defending champions, is in the top spot with 10 points and a NRR of 0.778.
