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Kieron Pollard Creates T20 History, Becomes Only the 2nd Player to Reach 1,000 Sixes… But His Record Night Ends in Heartbreak
West Indies legend Kieron Pollard joined Chris Gayle in an exclusive T20 club after smashing his 1,001st six, but MI New York suffered a dramatic defeat despite posting a massive 266-run total in the MLC 2026 Eliminator.
West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard added another remarkable chapter to his legendary career by becoming only the second player in cricket history to smash 1,000 sixes in T20 cricket.
The historic achievement came during the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 Eliminator between MI New York and Washington Freedom at the Oakland Coliseum on Thursday (July 16 IST).
Pollard reached the milestone in trademark fashion, blasting 64 runs from just 25 deliveries, including one four and eight towering sixes. His explosive innings took his career tally to 1,001 T20 sixes, placing him alongside fellow West Indies icon Chris Gayle in one of cricket’s most exclusive clubs.
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Only Chris Gayle Stands Ahead
With the milestone, Kieron Pollard now sits second on the all-time list for the most sixes in T20 cricket.
Chris Gayle, widely regarded as one of the greatest T20 batters ever, remains at the top with 1,056 sixes from 463 matches. Pollard, who has represented more than 20 franchises across the globe since making his T20 debut in 2006, reached the landmark after playing 746 T20 matches.
His longevity and consistency across leagues worldwide underline his status as one of the format’s true legends.
Most Sixes in T20 Cricket
| Player | Country | Matches | Runs | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Gayle | West Indies | 463 | 14,562 | 1,056 |
| Kieron Pollard | West Indies | 746 | 14,803 | 1,001 |
| Andre Russell | West Indies | 600 | 9,776 | 792 |
| Nicholas Pooran | West Indies | 468 | 11,029 | 764 |
| Jos Buttler | England | 516 | 14,556 | 630 |
| Colin Munro | New Zealand | 473 | 12,220 | 603 |
| Alex Hales | England | 528 | 14,449 | 595 |
| Glenn Maxwell | Australia | 517 | 11,111 | 577 |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 472 | 12,531 | 568 |
| David Miller | South Africa | 568 | 12,096 | 555 |
MI New York Posts Massive Total
Pollard’s blistering innings laid the foundation for a huge total as he combined with Nicholas Pooran for a rapid 56-run partnership off just 21 balls.
Pooran stole the spotlight with a breathtaking 106 off only 33 deliveries, helping MI New York post an imposing 266/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
At one stage, the total appeared more than enough to secure victory and a place in the next stage of the tournament.
Steve Smith and Andries Gous Produce an Incredible Chase
Despite the daunting target, Washington Freedom scripted one of the greatest run chases in Major League Cricket history.
Former Australia captain Steve Smith played a captain’s knock, remaining unbeaten on 110 from 48 balls, while USA batter Andries Gous produced the innings of his life with a sensational 132 off 51 deliveries.
The pair shared a stunning 241-run partnership for the third wicket in just 89 balls, dismantling MI New York’s bowling attack with fearless stroke play.
Gous smashed 10 fours and 12 sixes, while Smith struck seven boundaries and nine sixes, guiding Washington Freedom to 267/4 in 18.4 overs and sealing a memorable six-wicket victory.
A Historic Night with Mixed Emotions
Although Kieron Pollard achieved one of the biggest milestones in T20 cricket by joining the elite 1,000-sixes club, the result ultimately overshadowed his personal success.
His unforgettable innings will be remembered as a landmark moment in cricket history, but Washington Freedom’s record-breaking chase ensured that the night belonged equally to one of the most remarkable batting performances ever witnessed in Major League Cricket.
