On this date in 2021, Kieron Pollard reached an extraordinary milestone by hitting six sixes in a single over during the inaugural T20I against Sri Lanka at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. This remarkable achievement made him only the third player in the history of international cricket to accomplish such a feat, following in the footsteps of Herschelle Gibbs and Yuvraj Singh. The significance of Pollard’s accomplishment was heightened by the fact that it occurred immediately after Sri Lankan spinner Akila Dananjaya had taken a hat-trick in the preceding over. Pollard’s explosive performance shifted the momentum in favour of the West Indies, who ultimately secured a four-wicket victory.

Sri Lanka, having been invited to bat first, managed to score 131 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Debutant Pathum Nissanka emerged as the top scorer for the visitors, amassing 39 runs from 34 deliveries. The West Indies bowlers, especially left-arm seamer Obed McCoy, who recorded figures of 2 for 25, effectively contained the Sri Lankan batting lineup.

In reply, the West Indies got off to a rapid start, with openers Evin Lewis and Lendl Simmons propelling the team to 52 runs within the first 19 balls. Lewis contributed a brisk 28 runs, while Simmons added 26 runs to the team's total.

Dananjaya's hat-trick

The West Indies appeared to be in a strong position until Dananjaya delivered an extraordinary hat-trick in the fourth over. He began by removing Lewis, who was caught at extra cover. The subsequent delivery resulted in the dismissal of the formidable Chris Gayle, who was trapped lbw. The hat-trick was finalized when Nicholas Pooran edged the ball to the wicketkeeper. This astonishing over caused the West Indies to collapse from a solid 52 without loss to 52 for 3, thereby reinvigorating Sri Lanka's chances in the match.

Pollard's historic over

Unfazed by the abrupt downturn, West Indies captain Pollard assumed control of the situation. In the sixth over, he faced Dananjaya and unleashed a formidable barrage, striking six consecutive sixes. Pollard commenced his onslaught with a vigorous slog-sweep over midwicket, followed by a powerful shot that sailed directly over the sightscreen. He continued with a lofted drive over long-off and then sent the fourth delivery soaring over wide long-on. Even with one hand off the bat, he managed to propel the fifth ball over the leg-side boundary. Finally, he flicked the last delivery over deep midwicket after the bowler adjusted his line to around the wicket.

This remarkable exhibition of power-hitting elevated Pollard into an elite group, making him only the third batsman in international cricket history to accomplish this feat, and the second in T20 internationals. South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs had previously achieved six sixes in an over during the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup against the Netherlands, while Yuvraj Singh replicated this in the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007 against England.

‘I felt it was possible’

Pollard's explosive innings of 38 runs from just 11 balls revitalized the West Indies' chances in the match. Although he was dismissed leg before wicket in the subsequent over, he had already established a solid foundation for a successful run chase. All-rounder Jason Holder played a crucial role in ensuring a smooth finish, contributing an unbeaten 29 runs and clinching the victory with a six. The West Indies successfully reached their target, concluding the match at 134 for 6 in 13.1 overs.

"I simply had to step up and trust my abilities. It was something the team required. I didn’t witness the hat-trick; I only heard about it. Nevertheless, I had to perform as the team needed at that moment. After hitting the third six, I sensed it was achievable. I went for it, and it proved to be worthwhile," Pollard remarked following his remarkable achievement.

For Sri Lanka, the match was a tumultuous experience, particularly for Dananjaya, who faced the exhilaration of achieving a hat-trick alongside the disappointment of allowing six consecutive sixes within two overs.

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