‘Rabada will be available but not Livingstone’ – Wasim Jaffer provides update on Punjab Kings’ overseas player conundrum

Liam Livingstone. (Photo by Will Russell – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

Wasim Jaffer, the batting coach for Punjab Kings (PBKS), said that while speedster Kagiso Rabada is probably going to be ready for the team’s next encounter, there is still no firm information on Liam Livingstone. Punjab Kings started their campaign on a high note when they defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders, and they kept the form going against Rajasthan Royals in their second contest of the Indian Premier League 2023.

Notably, both Rabada and Livingstone were out of the playing combination in both games, but PBKS managed to clinch close victories on both occasions. The inclusion of the two players will only strengthen Punjab’s squad, but while Rabada has joined the squad, Livingstone’s inclusion is still doubtful as he is yet to make his way to India.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has not given Livingstone medical clearance, hence he has not officially joined the PBKS team. In December 2022, while fielding for Pakistan on his Test debut, Livingstone sustained an injury and since then, he hasn’t participated in any competitive cricket matches.

The 29-year-old is still hopeful of making it to the ongoing season of the IPL. When a Twitter user commented on one of Livingstone’s tweets asking him when will the fans get to see his batting show, the cricketer replied with one word saying “Soon…”. But during the post-match press conference, Jaffer spoke on the availability of their team’s overseas players, as he said:

“Rabada will be available for the next game, but probably not Livingstone, I am not so sure. The manager probably knows it. Rabada probably will be available.”

We would look for players who are in form, doing well: Jaffer

Rabada had been on national duty as South Africa had been playing an ODI series against the Netherlands. After successfully winning the series, Rabada joined the PBKS squad in India. Nathan Ellis made his way to the PBKS squad as the foreign pacer and also played a key role in the team’s recent victory over Rajasthan Royals.

Ellis was also adjudged the player of the match for his 4/30. But with Rabada coming back, it’s will be a task for the PBKS selectors to pick the best XI as the Protea player is a key component of PBKS’ squad, but Ellis has contributed massively towards his team’s success. Speaking of the selection conundrum ahead of the upcoming game, Jaffer said:

“Team selection is a good headache to have, I mean players in form, playing well. It is good for the franchise, that the players are in form. It is not in my hands, but we would look for players who are in form, doing well. So, I think that is a good thing. Even though Rabada was there, Ellis showed how good he is.”