In a high-octane clash at Edgbaston, Liam Livingstone delivered one of the most memorable performances in The Hundred history, guiding Birmingham Phoenix to a thrilling four-wicket victory over defending champions Oval Invincibles. Chasing a daunting target of 181, Phoenix were in trouble at 120-4, needing 61 runs from just 24 balls. Enter Livingstone, who turned the game on its head with a breathtaking assault on Rashid Khan, one of the world's best spinners.

Livingstone's Masterclass Against Rashid Khan

Livingstone took center stage in the 16th set of five balls, smashing Rashid for 26 runs, including three sixes and two fours. This onslaught shifted the momentum decisively in Phoenix's favor. Rashid, who had been in exceptional form earlier in the tournament, ended with figures of 0-59 from 20 balls, his most expensive spell in The Hundred.

With 22 runs needed from the final 10 balls, Livingstone continued his rampage, hitting Tom Curran for two more sixes. Despite a late scare when Saqib Mahmood took two wickets in two balls, Benny Howell sealed the win with a boundary, leaving Livingstone unbeaten on 69 from just 27 deliveries.

The Context of the Match

Earlier, Donovan Ferreira had powered Oval Invincibles to 180-8 with a blistering 63 off 29 balls. However, Livingstone, supported by Will Smeed's 51 off 29, orchestrated one of the most improbable chases in The Hundred, marking the third-highest successful run chase in the tournament's history.

The Verbal Spat

The match was not without controversy. Tom Curran appeared to taunt Livingstone after dismissing Jacob Bethell, prompting Livingstone to respond with his bat. "He called me a fat slob or something," Livingstone joked post-match. "I thought, 'Let's hope you go for a few if you come back at the death,' and he did."

Livingstone's Record Against Rashid

Livingstone's dominance against Rashid Khan is well-documented. He has now scored 200 runs off 102 balls from Rashid in T20 cricket, the most by any batter. His strike rate of 192 against the Afghan spinner is also the best in the world.

What’s Next in The Hundred?

The action continues with four matches on Wednesday, including clashes between Southern Brave and Northern Superchargers, as well as Welsh Fire hosting Manchester Originals. Fans can follow live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website.

This victory not only kept Birmingham Phoenix's campaign alive but also cemented Livingstone's reputation as one of the most destructive batters in modern cricket.