CPL: Isuru Udana's fifer, Kieron Pollard's heroics set stage for Trinbago Knight Riders' triumph over Barbados Royals

Sri Lanka’s Isuru Udana recently announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 33, sparking fear over the intensity he will be able to deliver in the ongoing edition of CPL. However, Udana who is representing Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) delivered a fantastic performance in a league encounter against Barbados Royals, registering a five-wicket haul. The 33-year-old returned figures of 5 for 21, his best in the shortest format of the game to help knock out Barbados for 122. The total was chased down with 19 balls to spare, by a margin of six wickets.

Barbados Royals get off to a slow but steady start

Openers Johnson Charles and Glenn Philips stitched a slow but steady start, putting on a run-a-ball stand worth 29. However, Udana made his presence felt in just two overs, reducing the team to 42 for 3. Shai Hope and Azam Khan attempted to revive the innings despite the dismissals with fine contributions. Jayden Seales was one of the bowlers who had to bear the brunt of their valiant efforts, suffering a couple of sixes each.

Hope was dismissed in the 12th over of the chase following a fine diving catch by Darren Bravo at long-on. Interestingly, he had hit Akeal Hosein for a six just two balls before, indicating the quick pace at which the momentum of a game can change. Udana returned to dismiss Azam in his comeback spell, after the cricketer sliced a wide delivery to the fielder at deep third man. This triggered a lower-order collapse, which eventually came back to haunt the Barbados-based franchise. Ravi Rampaul recorded a brace with Udana completing a fifer to ensure the end of the innings with four balls to spare.

Mohammad Amir delivers a fine performance

Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir delivered a fine start to proceedings in the second innings, with his early burst leaving the defending champions struggling at 18 for 3 in the fifth over. Lendl Simmons, Sunil Narine and Colin Munro were dismissed cheaply, leaving the team in a spot of bother. New Zealand cricketer Tim Siefert similarly struggled on the two-paced wicket against Oshane Thomas, who eventually sent him back to the pavilion.

Fantastic knock by Kieron Pollard

However, skipper Kieron Pollard brought all his experience to play in this tense scenario, showcasing his ability to emerge as a game-changer. Pollard took the attack to Thisara Perera in the 11th over, top-edging the ball for a six over third man before following it up with a glance for a boundary through fine leg. This was followed by the all-rounder smashing four successive deliveries for sixes in the 13th and 14th over, two each off Ashley Nurse and Jason Holder. Pollard (58* off 30 deliveries) received quality support from wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, who played a watchful inning.

The all-rounder recorded his half-century with the biggest six of the evening, smashing the ball over the rooftop of the stands in the long-on region. This was closely followed by Pollard smashing the winning runs off the next delivery, dispatching a full toss for a boundary.