Following Trinbago Knight Riders' (TKR) thrilling victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL 2025 final, Kieron Pollard voiced his frustration with the crowd's behavior at Providence Stadium in Guyana. Despite leading his team to a record fifth CPL title, Pollard addressed the persistent booing from a segment of the Guyanese fans, expressing his disappointment during the post-match ceremony.
Pollard, a veteran of West Indies cricket, didn't hold back, stating, "There's three countries in the Caribbean where we have played, the booing is boring now". He further lamented the situation, adding, "We are still the laughing stock of cricket in the West Indies". Highlighting his contributions to Caribbean cricket, Pollard emphasized his representation of the entire region over a long period, putting them "on the map" in the T20 format. Despite his efforts, he expressed feeling unappreciated by some fans.
The 38-year-old, a former West Indies captain and 2012 World Cup winner, reflected on his career and his commitment to the sport. "I don't politicize things… I do it because I love the game, I love the sport," Pollard asserted. He emphasized that his focus remains on performing well for his team, regardless of the crowd's antics.
This isn't the first time Pollard has faced such behavior in Guyana. In 2019, he was subjected to merciless booing at the same venue. This year, even as he collected his Player of the Tournament award, the negativity persisted. He questioned the integrity of fans who would give a hostile reception to a player who has represented the West Indies for so many years, suggesting it reveals something about their character.
The final itself was a tense affair, with TKR chasing down a target of 131 to win by three wickets. Pollard contributed a vital 21 runs off 12 balls, including three sixes. The victory ended TKR's five-year trophy drought and marked their first CPL title win outside of Trinidad. While fans lauded TKR's victory, Pollard's remarks served as a reminder of the challenges players sometimes face with crowd behavior in the region.
Despite the negativity, Pollard remains focused on his love for the game. He currently stands 325 runs behind Chris Gayle in the all-time T20 run-scorers list. The incident has sparked debate about fan culture in West Indies cricket and the importance of appreciating players who have dedicated their careers to representing the region.