In a surprising turn of events, the English & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have granted the No-Objection Certificate to all-rounder Liam Livingstone for his participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 after denying wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow’s participation in the tournament. With the NOC issued Liam Livingstone is set to join Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the coming days as the side prepares for the tournament.
Last December, Liam Livingstone sustained knee and ankle injuries while playing in the Rawalpindi Test against Pakistan, which forced him to take a break from cricket. However, according to recent reports, he has completed off-season training with Lancashire County Cricket Club in Dubai and is expected to join the IPL 2023 in India, set to commence on March 31st.
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Sam Curran, the highest-priced player in the history of the lucrative league, will join fellow prominent English all-rounder Liam Livingstone for the entire season. Punjab acquired the services of Bairstow and Livingstone for a total of approximately INR 18 crores in the IPL Auction 20222, and they spent an additional INR 18.50 crores on securing Curran during the IPL Auction 2023 held in December last year.
Punjab Kings Hunt For Their Maiden IPL Title As Liam Livingstone Returns
Since the inaugural edition of the tournament, Punjab Kings formerly known as Kings XI Punjab have been the perennial side that finishes at the middle of the pack. While Punjab have qualified for the playoffs over the years, the side are yet to win its first IPL title. The team will hope that this time can be the year.
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Prior to the IPL 2023 auction, the Punjab Kings made a conscious effort to keep their key players for the upcoming season. The team’s management decided to appoint the seasoned batsman Shikhar Dhawan as the captain, who would be leading the franchise in the forthcoming tournament.
The side will surely be happy with the return of Liam Livingstone as the player played a crucial role for the franchise last season. The English all-rounder is one of the best power hitters when it comes to the shortest format of the game. Livingstone in his 14 outings for Punjab last season was lethal with both the bat and the ball as he amassed a staggering 437 runs to his name with an exceptional strike rate of 182. The player also contributed with the ball in needed situations picking up 6 wickets.
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