Tarouba, Aug 29:
West Indies great Kieron Pollard reclaimed the world record for the most runs in T20 cricket after producing a blistering 65 off just 26 balls for Trinbago Knight Riders against Saint Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League.
Pollard’s explosive innings helped him move back ahead of England’s Jos Buttler in the all-time T20 run-scoring charts.
The veteran all-rounder smashed five sixes during his whirlwind knock, reaching the landmark in typically destructive fashion. His latest effort took his career tally to 14,921 T20 runs, moving him ahead of Buttler.
The record has changed hands between the two power hitters, underlining the extraordinary consistency required to remain at the top of the T20 batting charts.
Pollard has built his reputation as one of the most successful players in franchise T20 cricket, featuring in leagues around the world and establishing himself as one of the format’s most feared finishers.
His ability to clear the boundary under pressure has made him a particularly valuable player in T20 cricket.
The 65-run assault against Saint Lucia Kings once again demonstrated that Pollard remains capable of producing match-defining cameos despite being well into the latter stages of his playing career.
His record is also a reflection of the enormous number of T20 matches he has played across domestic and international franchise competitions.
Buttler had recently moved ahead of Pollard to claim the record, only for the West Indian to reclaim the top position.
The battle between the two continues to underline the changing nature of T20 cricket, where longevity across multiple leagues can be as important as peak international performance.
Pollard’s latest achievement further strengthens his status as one of the defining figures of the global T20 era.
His record-breaking knock also provided another reminder of the remarkable longevity of a player who has been a dominant force in the shortest format for more than a decade.