Kieron Pollard etched his title even deeper into cricket historical past with a memorable century for MI New York in Main League Cricket (MLC) 2026, changing into the very best run-scorer in males’s T20 cricket. The previous West Indies captain surpassed long-time file holder Chris Gayle throughout his unbeaten 100 in opposition to Washington Freedom, reaching the landmark in trademark vogue with a towering six. Though MI New York fell 30 runs quick in a high-scoring contest, Pollard’s private milestone stole the highlight and marked one other extraordinary achievement in one of the crucial embellished T20 careers ever witnessed.
Kieron Pollard reaches the summit of T20 batting information
The 39-year-old produced a classic show of power-hitting, ending unbeaten on 100 from 56 deliveries and rewriting the file books within the course of. His innings took his total T20 run tally to 14,582 from 736 matches, transferring him forward of Chris Gayle’s earlier mark of 14,562 runs.
The feat highlights Pollard’s outstanding consistency and longevity throughout franchise leagues worldwide. Having represented groups in competitions spanning the Caribbean, India, Australia, Pakistan, England, South Africa and america, he has maintained his standing as one of the crucial feared finishers within the shortest format for almost 20 years.
Including additional weight to his legacy, Pollard stays the one cricketer to have appeared in additional than 700 T20 matches, a testomony to each his health and enduring demand in franchise cricket.
Century arrives amid dramatic chase after Freedom’s batting blitz
Whereas Pollard celebrated a private triumph, Washington Freedom emerged victorious after posting a frightening 245 for five. The muse of that complete was laid by Australian all-rounder Mitchell Owen, who produced a spectacular innings of 155 off simply 68 balls.
Owen’s breathtaking assault included a century in solely 41 deliveries and established the very best particular person rating in Main League Cricket historical past. His explosive batting, complemented by worthwhile contributions from Steve Smith and Mark Chapman, left MI New York dealing with a mammoth chase of 246.
The reply may hardly have begun worse. Quinton de Kock and Monank Patel have been dismissed within the opening over earlier than Nicholas Pooran adopted quickly after, leaving MI New York in serious trouble. With wickets tumbling usually and the scoreboard studying 64 for five, Washington Freedom appeared firmly in management.
Additionally READ: Mitchell Owen’s sizzling century powers Washington Freedom to vital win over MI New York in MLC 2026 thriller
Lone battle from Pollard cements an already legendary profession
Refusing to give up, Pollard launched a decided counterattack that reminded followers of his harmful greatest. He mixed aggression with composure, constructing helpful partnerships with Romario Shepherd and Corbin Bosch whereas retaining hopes of an unlikely chase alive.
The skilled all-rounder struck 11 fours and 4 sixes throughout his unbeaten innings and reached his century off the final ball of the match, registering solely the second T20 hundred of his illustrious profession.
Though MI New York finally misplaced by 30 runs, Pollard’s innings ensured the competition can be remembered for extra than simply the consequence. By overtaking Gayle, he now stands alone on the high of the lads’s T20 run-scoring charts. Gayle occupies second place, adopted by Alex Hales, Jos Buttler, David Warner and Virat Kohli, making Pollard’s achievement much more important in an period filled with elite white-ball batters.
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