On a hot night at Daren Sammy cricket ground stadium Kieron Pollard took the world back a few years as he scored 65 off 29 superb balls hitting 6 sixes and 4 fours to lead the Trinbago Knight Riders to a 18 run victory over the defending CPL champions the St. Lucia Kings. The August 23, 2025, match was played with TKR scoring 183/7, which was due to a middle order blitz by Pollard and key contributions by Colin Munro and Nicholas Pooran. Kings began with a bang through their openers but TKR bowlers came back to prove their mettle and the victory was a message in itself. The game was not solely about runs but it was about Pollard who demonstrated that he is not finished with T20 cricket.
A Blazing Start Sets the Tone
TKR’s innings kicked off with Colin Munro and Alex Hales racing to 50 inside the PowerPlay. Munro, fresh off CPL 2025’s first century, looked in fine touch, carving 43 off 30 balls before Tabraiz Shamsi broke through. Hales fell earlier to David Wiese, and Kaecy Carty’s sluggish 9 off 12 didn’t help. If you’re following the CPL’s twists and turns, apps like 1x download can keep you updated on scores and stats in real time. From 78/3 in the 11th over, TKR needed a spark, and Pollard, alongside captain Pooran, delivered one that lit up the game. Their 82-run stand off 42 balls turned a shaky start into a daunting total.
The Kings’ bowlers struggled to contain Pollard, especially after Shamsi dropped a tough chance off his first ball. That miss proved costly. Pollard unleashed chaos, hammering his 200th CPL six off Wiese in the 15th over. In the 17th, he went berserk against Kings’ captain Roston Chase, smashing three consecutive sixes and a four in a 24-run over to race to a 22-ball 50. Pooran, quieter with 34 off 30, played anchor before falling.
Kings’ Chase Starts Strong, Then Stumbles
St. Lucia Kings came out swinging, with Tim Seifert and Johnson Charles tearing into TKR’s bowlers. They plundered 15 off Akeal Hosein’s second over and 12 off Mohammad Amir’s third, racing to 60/0 by the PowerPlay’s end. Sunil Narine kept things tight, conceding just 14 in two overs, but the Kings looked in control. Then TKR’s bowlers flipped the script. From 84/1 in 10 overs, the Kings slid to 115/4 by the 15th, losing Seifert (35) and Charles (47).
Delano Potgieter and Wiese kept hopes alive, smashing 15 off Andre Russell’s 17th over. But off-spinner Usman Tariq, finishing with a stellar 2 for 20, removed Wiese to tilt the game. With 29 needed off the final over, Ackeem Auguste’s late charge (23 off 5) wasn’t enough. Russell held his nerve, ensuring the Kings finished at 165/6, 18 runs short.
Pollard’s Masterclass in Power-Hitting
Pollard’s 65 was the heartbeat of TKR’s win. At 38, he’s no spring chicken, but his ability to clear boundaries remains unreal. Those three sixes off Chase weren’t just shots; they were a reminder of why he’s a T20 legend. His 200th CPL six, struck in the 15th over, was a milestone wrapped in mayhem. Pooran’s 34 played a quieter but crucial role, steadying the ship when wickets fell. Munro’s 43 set the platform, but Pollard turned it into a fortress. The Kings’ bowlers, despite Wiese and Gaston’s efforts (Gaston took 2/38), couldn’t find an answer once Pollard got going. That dropped catch by Shamsi? A turning point they’ll rue.
What made Pollard’s knock special wasn’t just the runs; it was the timing. Coming in at 78/3, with the innings wobbling, he shifted gears like only he can. His 29-ball blitz included:
- Early Aggression: Survived a dropped catch on his first ball, then attacked Wiese for his 200th CPL six.
- Explosive 17th Over: Hammered three sixes and a four off Chase, flipping the game’s momentum.
- Team Impact: His 82-run stand with Pooran ensured TKR posted a total the Kings couldn’t chase.
Why This Win Matters
This wasn’t just another CPL game; it was TKR showing they can topple the defending champions on their home turf. Pollard’s performance proved he’s still a game-changer, while Narine and Tariq’s bowling showed TKR’s depth. The Kings’ openers gave them a shot, but their middle order couldn’t build on it. That controversial call on David didn’t help, but TKR’s pressure was relentless. For fans, this match was a taste of CPL’s magic: big hits, tight bowling, and a finish that kept you glued.
The Knight Riders’ win sets the tone for their 2025 campaign. Pollard, Munro, and Pooran showed their batting firepower, while Narine and Tariq proved their bowling can choke even the best. It’s early days, but TKR looks like a team with plans. For the Kings, it’s a wake-up call; their title defense needs more from the middle order. This game, messy and thrilling, was T20 cricket at its rawest.