Jos Buttler breaks Kieron Pollard's all-time record for most T20 runs, rues not breaking it with Caribbean all-rounder in dugout

England’s former white-ball captain Jos Buttler scripted history at the Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. On the day, he took over as captain of Manchester Super Giants in Aiden Markram's absence, he smashed an unbeaten 20-ball 51, featuring five sixes against Welsh Fire, surpassing Kieron Pollard to become leading run-scorer in T20 cricket.

Before the Men's Hundred 2026 Match no.21, Buttler needed 22 runs to dethrone Pollard. He hit Marco Jansen for a six to get the record in his name. He went on to hit a hat-trick of sixes against the South African left-arm pacer.

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Buttler was happy to break the record but he rued not breaking it in front of Pollard when Manchester Super Giants took on MI London in the previous game on August 2 where he was dismissed for just two runs.

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"We played against MI London last game and it would have been nice to get past Polly while he was there sat in the dugout, but there's some great names on there, some special players, so I'm really proud of that," Buttler told Sky Sports after Manchester Super Giants’ thumping nine-wicket win.

Buttler now has 14,833 runs from 492 T20 innings, averaging over 35. He has nine centuries and 106 fifties to his name in the format. Meanwhile, Pollard has 14,803 runs from 663 innings, including two tons and 70 fifties. The veteran Caribbean all-rounder will have a chance to regain the top spot on August 6 when MI London lock horns with London Spirit at Lord's.

Salt, Short help Welsh Fire post challenging total

Earlier in the game, Welsh Fire skipper Phil Salt won the toss and opted to bat first. Salt and Matthew Short shared a 125-run opening partnership. Salt missed out on a half-century as he was dismissed by Josh Tongue for a 37-ball 48. Short went on to score 71 runs from 47 balls. Cameos from Jordan Cox and Rachin Ravindra helped Welsh Fire post 155/4.

Seifert, Buttler chase it down with ease

In the run chase, Tim Seifert and Paul Walter shared a 74-run opening partnership. Walter scored 37 runs from 18 balls. He was dismissed by Sam Cook. While Buttler scored an unbeaten 20-ball 51, Seifert remained not out for a 36-ball 62, featuring 10 fours. Manchester Super Giants chased down the target of 156 in just 69 balls. It helped them rise to the third position on the points table, just below Welsh Fire.