GT vs PBKS: Liam Livingstone smokes Mohammed Shami for 117-metre six

England and Punjab Kings (PBKS) batter Liam Livingstone stroked a 117-metre six in the group stage encounter against the Gujarat Titans on May 3 (Tuesday). To note, it was Indian pacer Mohammed Shami who was at receiving end as he was also impressed with Livingstone’s hitting ability.

The English batter, who came in to bat after PBKS lost their second wicket, went berserk against the GT bowlers, as he smashed Shami in the 16th over for three maximums and two fours, also hitting a gigantic six measuring 117 metres, the longest in IPL 2022 so far. Meanwhile, PBKS handed GT their second defeat in the tournament as they won the contest quite convincingly.

Livingstone scored 28 runs against Shami

Talking about the ball, it was an angling-in length delivery and the English batter cleared his front leg and swung his bat with all the power as he sent the ball flying over deep square leg. The right-handed batter then completed a hat-trick of sixes and scored 28 runs in that over.

Talking about the match, GT captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bat first. However, the Titans openers could not get going. Skipper Pandya was scalped early as well. The innings was held by young batter Sai Sudharsan (65* off 50 balls). Apart from Sudharsan, none of the Titans’ high-profile batters got going. For PBKS, South African pacer Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers, scalping four wickets.

In reply, PBKS lost an early wicket in the form of English batter Jonny Bairstow as he got out after scoring just one run. However, senior batter Shikhar Dhawan (62*), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (40), and Livingstone (30) ensured that the  Kings did not face any problems in the chase.

As a result, PBKS managed to reach the target easily and got two vital points. Pacer Kagiso Rabada was adjudged the Player of the Match for his excellent spell of bowling. Despite losing their second match, the Titans continue to be at the top of the points table in IPL 2022.