MI New York veteran Kieron Pollard turned back the clock with a stunning unbeaten century against Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026, producing one of the tournament’s most memorable individual performances. However, despite Pollard’s heroic effort, MI New York fell short in a high-scoring contest at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on June 21.
While the former West Indies captain’s century dominated the headlines, it was a fiery on-field moment that quickly grabbed the attention of cricket fans. During the ninth over of MI New York’s chase, Washington Freedom pacer Asif Mehmood fielded a powerful straight drive from Pollard and appeared to shape up for a throw back towards the batter. Sensing the situation, Pollard instinctively raised his bat before Mehmood decided against releasing the ball.
The brief exchange immediately sparked memories of Pollard’s iconic confrontation with Mitchell Starc during the IPL. In that famous incident, Starc hurled the ball towards Pollard, prompting the Caribbean star to raise his bat in a dramatic show of defiance. The similarities between the two moments were not lost on fans, with social media quickly flooded with comparisons.
ALSO READ: IPL Makes Millionaires, Not Excuses: Sunil Gavaskar Hits Out At Overseas Players
Earlier in the evening, Washington Freedom had produced a batting exhibition after being asked to bat first. Australian opener Mitchell Owen stole the show with a breathtaking knock of 155 from just 68 deliveries. The right-hander dismantled the MI New York bowling attack, smashing 11 fours and 13 sixes while maintaining an extraordinary strike rate of 227.94.
The bowler charged through in his follow-through… and suddenly it felt like we’d seen this movie before. 😮💨🔥#KieronPollard found himself in a familiar moment, reminding fans of that iconic Pollard-Starc face-off from years gone by.
Some rivalries. Some reactions. Never get… pic.twitter.com/RS0zjp181L
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 21, 2026
Owen’s explosive innings powered Washington Freedom to a massive total of 245/5 in their 20 overs. Although MI New York managed to pick up wickets at regular intervals, they struggled to contain the relentless scoring rate, with five bowlers sharing the wickets.
Chasing a daunting target, MI New York needed something special, and Pollard almost delivered it single-handedly. The veteran all-rounder played a vintage innings, finishing unbeaten on exactly 100 from 56 balls. His knock included 11 boundaries and four sixes, showcasing the power and composure that have defined his career across global T20 leagues.
ALSO READ: ‘The Knives Are Out’: Kevin Pietersen Takes Dig At England’s Bazball Era
Despite Pollard’s brilliance, the target ultimately proved too steep. MI New York closed on 215/6, falling 30 runs short of victory. Washington Freedom captain Glenn Maxwell also played a crucial role with the ball, claiming 2/37 from his four overs to help seal an important win and cap off a dominant team performance.
