Nita Ambani’s MI gets big boost as Pollard hits 6-6-6, fifty before auction

While the MI team is getting ready for its auction on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, Pollard made everyone recall once again, why he is still considered one of the most dangerous T20 batsmen in world cricket. The game was very significant for him as it was his 200th T20 match as the captain of the Nita Ambani-owned MI Emirates, and he scored a vintage-like 50-run inning in only 32 balls — his 67th fifty in the shortest format of cricket and his 721-match career spanning over 18 years.

Pollard’s Power Show: Three Sixes in a Row

The 13th over was the highlight of the night when Pollard went for Gulf Giants’ spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. The big man hit three sixes in a row, reversing the time and making the audience crazy. Shamsi's over cost 20 runs as Pollard showed the kind of raw power that made him a global T20 legend.

Pollard–Pooran Partnership Rescues MI Emirates

Pollard formed a crucial 78-run partnership with fellow West Indian star Nicholas Pooran (46 off 39), lifting MI Emirates from a difficult position. Pollard struck four sixes during his innings before getting out to Azmatullah Omarzai, the Afghan all-rounder.

After the game, Pollard conceded that the batting had let the side down:

“Losing three wickets early and then rebuilding — we were behind in the first innings. The ball moved around a lot in the first 10 overs. We need to execute better,” he said.

The Gulf Giants’ batsmen were led by Nissanka’s blazing 81 runs who made sure the MI Emirates, despite Pollard’s heroics, could not defend their total. Gulf Giants opener Pathum Nissanka took the spotlight with his outstanding 42-ball 81, which led his team to a triumphant six-wicket victory.

Chris Woakes from MI made an early push by getting rid of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Gerhard Erasmus cheaply. But soon Nissanka with Moeen Ali (26 off 21) not only steadied the innings but also shifted the gears.

Omarzai then gave a short but highly effective cameo — 39 runs off 16 balls — that included a gruesome 23-run attack on Rashid Khan, hitting one four and three sixes in an over. From there, the Giants sped up and reached the target in only 14.4 overs.

MI Emirates Struggle Early

Initially, MI Emirates lost three wickets for just 36 runs in the powerplay. The Giants’ bowlers were on top at the beginning as Nuwan Thushara sent Mohammed Waseem and Jonny Bairstow back to the pavilion, while Omarzai reached his only wicket by bowling Tom Banton out. Even though Pollard and Pooran were there to recover the innings, their efforts were not enough against an unstoppable Giants team.