AT 91 for five in the 13th over, the chase for the target of 171 seemed all but over. Crowds at the ground were preparing to leave, while others had written the Trinidad and Tobago epitaph.

For all practical purposes, it was a lost cause. But if there was one man who did not lose faith in his team, it was skipper Daren Ganga.

’Knowing that Kieron Pollard was at the crease, I had hope. I knew it was a matter of one big over and it was all going to change,’’ Ganga told clt20.com after Friday’s match in which T&T shocked New South Wales Blues in their Super Eight Champions League 20/20 encounter at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, India.

There was something about Pollard which Ganga and the men in red knew which none of the others at the ground were aware of.

Pollard just loves hitting sixes and makes no bones about it. His knock on Friday night included five sixes and five boundaries, underlining his love for the maximum.

’I just love it. It is my strength and I like to use my power to advantage,’’ Pollard told clt20.com with a calm exterior, not giving away any emotions.

But Pollard needed to be sensible on the eve of Divali before bursting out with his talent here. For Trinidad and Tobago the asking rate had touched ten runs per over, which meant Pollard had to be the man.

In the dug-out, Ganga was not showing any emotion, just hoping Pollard used his brain.

’I just needed him to pick the right over to launch an attack. In a crunch game it is important to target someone, that’s how we have practised at training sessions,’’ revealed Ganga.

In the 17th over, it all changed because Pollard picked out Blues all-rounder Moises Henriques for special treatment, hitting him for 27 runs, which included three sixes, two boundaries and a wide.

’I knew Brett Lee would come to bowl the 18th over, so the other overs would be bowled by either Henriques or Stuart (Clark) or the spinners. So it was the 17th over was the one to pick out. We were prepared to get six or seven runs from Brett Lee’s over. But we got a four and the equation came down,’’ recalled Pollard.

Pollard’s mind was uncluttered. He was working according to his skipper’s instructions.

He took his time to settle down, got accustomed and then launched into the Blues.

With depth in the batting order, Daren Ganga was aware that the chase was very much in control. And what gave him confidence was the presence of his brother, Sherwin, who nursed him through the tense moments.

’I always knew we could win. With an experienced campaigner like Denesh Ramdin at the other end it was possible. Then Sherwin came in and said he will pick singles. I told him to play the bad balls away,’’ said Pollard, reliving the tense moments.

All this while Daren Ganga was ’seeing it coming’’, having seen his power-hitter do it before for Trinidad and Tobago.

’We had the confidence in him, knowing his ability, power and strength. The game was for Pollard to win and he did it for us. This was one of the best innings I have seen from him. I am overjoyed to see a young player overcome challenges,’’ said Ganga.

The battle for top spot in terms of number of sixes hit has just gone up a notch. Ganga belives his man has earned his place at the top.

’He is a natural power-hitter. We let him express himself. That’s how we want him to play,’’ exclaimed Ganga.

For the man himself, the knock came after a long time.

’I have not played such an innings for a very long time. There have been a few cameos but never such a knock,’’ Pollard said as a matter of fact, with his expertly-designed hair-cut displaying a 20-20 logo.

So who is his favourite six-hitter?

’I have admired a lot of (players)--Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen, Dwayne Bravo--but no--it is Chris Gayle who is my favourite--Chris Gayle,’’ replied Pollard.

And one piece of advice from Gayle that he implemented on Friday night: ’Keep your head still, and watch the ball and go for your area.’’

But the last word rests with skipper Ganga, who does not want to risk comparing anybody with Pollard.

’This is the best Divali gift for me. Let’s all enjoy the moment.’’