WI vs SL: 1st T20I – Pollard smashes six sixes, Dananjaya takes a hat-trick
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard on Wednesday joined an elusive list of batsmen in international cricket. Chasing 132 against Sri Lanka in the 1st T20I, Pollard smashed six sixes in an over bowled by Akila Dananjaya. His fiery 11-ball 38 helped the hosts win the match by 4 wickets in the 14th over.
Pollard became the first West Indian and only the second cricketer after Yuvraj Singh to achieve the milestone in the shortest format of the game. As far as overall international cricket goes, he’s now the third batsman to hit six maximums. South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs was the first-ever player to reach the landmark in international cricket. He did it in the 2007 ODI World Cup clash against the Netherlands.
From elation to misery: Akila Dananjaya
Just before Pollard began his onslaught, Dananjaya had already entered record books of T20I cricket. He became only the second Sri Lankan and 13th overall cricketer to take a hat-trick in T20Is. The Sri Lankan first broke through with the wicket of opener Evin Lewis, who was looking set for a big score. He then bagged two big wickets – Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran off consecutive deliveries to complete his hat-trick. However, Dananjaya’s feat was soon overshadowed by Polly, who took the Lankan spinner to the cleaners.
Yuvi, Gibbs congratulate Pollard
Record-holders Yuvraj and Gibbs soon took to Twitter to congratulate the West Indies on his commendable feat.
Welcome to the club @KieronPollard55 #sixsixes you beauty !!!⭐️ ? ⭐️?⭐️?
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) March 4, 2021
March a popular month for hitting 6x6s
16/3/2007 and 3/3/2021 congrats @KieronPollard55 ?— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) March 4, 2021
Watch Pollard’s six sixes here:
You will never have a better Mastercard Priceless Moment than this one! ?? @KieronPollard55 became the 1st West Indian to hit 6 sixes in a T20I over!#WIvSL #MastercardPricelessMoment #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/YOGItXOY8H
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) March 4, 2021
