Big blow to Punjab Kings before IPL, Liam Livingston out of first match

England swashbuckling batsman Liam Livingstone

miss Punjab Kings' first match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is yet to recover from a knee injury he suffered in

December

Fitness clearance has not been given.

The Punjab Kings team will start their campaign in IPL against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 1.

Livingston has not played competitive cricket since injuring himself during his Test debut against Pakistan in December.

The 29-year-old player also suffered an ankle injury while playing in 'The Hundred' competition at home last year.

An IPL source told PTI, "He is out for at least the first match as the ECB is conducting scans to determine his fitness status."

He should be available from the second match." Livingston posted a video on social media on Wednesday in which he was seen batting on the net.

Last season was the best in the IPL for Livingston in which he scored 437 runs in 14 matches at an average of 36.42.

During this his strike rate was 182.08.

This England cricketer is known for his ability to play big shots and has played 12 ODIs and 29 T20 Internationals for the national team.

In the last season, he also took six wickets with his spin bowling.

England's Sam Curran, who became the most expensive player in IPL history,

already joined the Punjab team.

Apart from Livingston, the team will also miss South Africa's top fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who will not be able to play in the match against KKR due to being part of the national team.

He played in the final T20 match between South Africa and West Indies in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

Rabada is expected to reach India on April 3, after which the team has to face Rajasthan Royals two days later.

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