### Title: Pollard Returns to MI Emirates as Wildcard for ILT20 Season
MI Emirates have re-signed Kieron Pollard as their wildcard player for the impending season of the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE. Pollard, who captained the team last season, continues his association with the franchise since the tournament’s inception in early 2023.
Last season, Pollard was introduced as a wildcard player alongside Nicholas Pooran after the inaugural auction of the league. Subsequently, Pollard took on the captaincy role when Pooran moved to play for MI Cape Town in the overlapping SA20 league. Under Pollard’s leadership, MI Emirates nearly clinched the ILT20 title but fell just short, losing to Desert Vipers in the finals.
With 754 matches under his belt, Pollard holds the title for the most capped player in T20 cricket. He is also closing in on a significant milestone, being just 63 runs shy of overtaking Jos Buttler as the leading run-scorer in the format. His career record stands at an impressive 14,999 runs, averaging 31.71 with a strike rate of 150.92.
Pollard’s bond with the MI group extends beyond the ILT20. He was recently appointed as the head coach of the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, a team he represented for over a decade until 2022, and where he later served as the batting coach. His coaching journey has also seen him at MI London in the Hundred, a position he relinquished in early November, coinciding with his new role with Mumbai Indians. He has also stepped away from playing for Joburg Super Kings in the SA20.
Working under Mark Boucher, the former South African wicketkeeper-batter and current head coach of MI Emirates, Pollard will bring his extensive experience to the team. Boucher took the helm from Robin Singh, who led MI Emirates to an ILT20 title victory in 2024.
The forthcoming season of ILT20 is scheduled from 21 November to 20 December and will be hosted across Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
