Trinbago Knight Riders become the first team in CPL 2023 to receive a red card, and Kieron Pollard calls it “absolutely ridiculous.”

In Basseterre, St. Kitts, Match 12 of the ongoing Caribbean Premier League featured a collision between the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots (SKN) and Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR). The toss was won by Kieron Pollard, who asked SKN to bat. After a strong start from Andre Fletcher, Sherfane Rutherford struck a stunning knock of 62 off 38 balls to assist SKN set a lofty goal of 179.

Prior to their innings’ final over, though, something unusual occurred. Kieron Pollard was given a red card by the referee after being called. In this season’s league, the red card was used for the first time. TKR had to reduce the number of players on the field for the last over since they continued to maintain a sluggish over-rate. Two of them were allowed to remain outside the 30-yard circle out of the rest. As Dwayne Bravo let up 18 runs in the fourth over, Pollard asked Sunil Narine to leave the field. Narine had completed his four overs allotment with stats of 3/24.

After the game, Kieron Pollard called the rule “absolutely ridiculous,” pointing out that the punishment is excessive for only being 30-45 seconds behind the permitted over-rate.

“Honestly, it will undo the hard work that everyone put in. We will follow instructions like pawns because that is what we are. Play will be done as quickly as possible. It is simply ludicrous if you receive a 30- to 45-second penalty in a competition like this, Pollard stated on the broadcast, according to cricketmood.

The first victory for TKR in CPL 2023 is led by Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard.

Chadwick Walton and Martin Guptill, TKR’s openers, failed to score once more. Nicholas Pooran, who has been in outstanding form lately, struck a scorching knock of 61 off 32 balls to create the groundwork for his team, though.

As he scored a 31-ball 36, Lorcan Tucker served as the anchor. In the end, Pollard and Russell (37* off 16 and 23* off 8) put up a 32-run partnership in just 12 balls to lead TKR to win with six wickets and 17 balls remaining.