'Curran called me a fat slob' - Liam Livingstone reveals after blasting sixes off Rashid Khan in match-winning Men's Hundred knock

Divy Dubey

'Curran called me a fat slob' - Liam Livingstone reveals after blasting sixes off Rashid Khan in match-winning Men's Hundred knock image

Birmingham Phoenix's Liam Livingstone delivered one of the most explosive innings in Men's Hundred history. He helped his side to a remarkable win over Oval Invincibles in a high-scoring match.

Chasing a target of 181 and with the team winless after two matches, Birmingham's captain produced a knock that combined power-hitting with a personal edge to turn the game on its head.

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Liam Livingstone smashes Rashid Khan to turn the game

Chasing 181, Phoenix needed 61 runs from the final 24 balls when Livingstone started his power hitting on Rashid Khan. In a single five-ball burst, he struck the Afghanistan leg-spinner for three sixes and two fours: 26 runs that swung the match dramatically.

By the time Rashid's spell ended, his figures of 0-59 from 20 balls were the most expensive in the tournament's history.

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Earlier, Will Smeed's 51 from 29 deliveries set the platform but Livingstone's unbeaten 69 off 27 balls sealed the third-highest chase in Men's Hundred history with two balls to spare.

What did Tom Curran sledge to fire up Liam Livingstone?

Tensions ran high between the sides with a flashpoint arriving after Tom Curran dismissed Jacob Bethell. Curran appeared to direct his celebration at Livingstone - prompting a pointed response from the Birmingham skipper.

"He called me a fat slob or something, so I thought, 'Let's hope you don't go for a few if you come back at the death. And he did, so I'm kind of happy with that," Livingstone told BBC Two.

Livingstone continued an extraordinary run of success against Rashid in T20 cricket. He has now scored 200 runs off 102 balls from the spinner - the most by any batter, at a strike rate of 192.

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His latest three sixes came with varied strokes: one straight, one over square leg and one slog-swept deep over mid-wicket. Birmingham's win not only opened their account for the season but also underlined Livingstone's status as one of the game's most dangerous finishers.

With more matches ahead, his form could prove pivotal in their campaign turnaround.

Divy Dubey

Divy Dubey is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition. He has a passion for cricket and is an avid fan of football. His work spans culture, media, and digital trends. With a background in research and a curiosity-driven approach, he enjoys crafting thoughtful, engaging stories that invite readers to see everyday topics in a new light.