Former West Indies captain Kieron Pollard became the second batsman to hit 1,000 sixes in T20 history. The experienced all-rounder reached the milestone during MI New York’s Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 Eliminator clash against Washington Freedom at the Oakland Coliseum on Tuesday, July 15.
Captain Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard helped defending champions MI New York post 266/9, the second highest team score in Major League Cricket history. The 38-year-old kept his team in complete control during the first innings, scoring 64 runs with the help of one four and eight sixes in just 25 balls.
Kieron Pollard joins Chris Gayle in exclusive 1,000 sixes club
Kieron Pollard scored 64 runs in just 25 balls with the help of one four and eight sixes. During the innings, the former West Indies captain became only the second batsman to reach the milestone of 1,000 sixes in men’s T20 cricket, joining his fellow West Indies legend Chris Gayle.
Pollard reached this milestone in his 663rd T20 innings. He has hit 1,001 sixes and 923 fours in this format. Chris Gayle remains the only batsman ahead of him with 1,056 sixes, making him the only player to cross the four-figure mark.
The feat adds another milestone to Kieron Pollard’s remarkable T20 career, which has spanned over two decades in franchise leagues around the world. His consistency as a finisher and one of the game’s most dangerous power-hitters has made him one of the greatest players in T20 history.
Nicholas Pooran’s record century set the stage
MI New York lost Monank Patel early after a brilliant direct-hit run-out by Ian Holland. Nicholas Pooran and Quinton de Kock immediately hit back, controlling the innings with an explosive partnership that put Washington Freedom under pressure inside the powerplay.
The pair added 118 runs in just 42 balls for the second wicket. De Kock scored 51 runs in 24 balls before being dismissed by Mitchell Owen. Meanwhile, Pooran completed the fastest half-century in MLC history in 14 balls before being dismissed Fastest century in tournament history in just 31 balls.
Pooran survived a dropped catch for 84 before Washington Freedom was made to pay. Ultimately he was out after scoring 106 runs in 33 balls, in which he hit five fours and 13 sixes. His brilliant innings laid the right foundation for MI New York to post huge scores in the eliminator.
Kieron Pollard’s dismissal takes MI New York to historic total
After Pooran was dismissed, Pollard ensured that the pace never slowed down. He scored a half-century in 17 balls and hit a hat-trick of sixes, helping MI New York cross the 200-run mark as the defending champions threatened to become the first team to reach 300 in the MLC.
Washington Freedom eventually slowed down the scoring through Rachin Ravindra, who claimed 4/29 and dismissed Tajinder Singh, Shakib Al Hasan, Romario Shepherd and Kunwarjeet Singh. Ben Dwarshuis also removed Pollard before the finish.
Trent Boult added 22 not out off just 10 balls, including two sixes in the final over, as MI New York finished on 266/9, the second highest team score in Major League Cricket history.