Franchise cricket helped me learn from Babar, Smith: Livingstone

England all-rounder Liam Livingstone believes playing alongside the likes of Babar Azam and Steve Smith in franchise cricket has helped in developing his game.

While speaking in a media interaction ahead of England’s five-match T20I series with India, the all-rounder said that he is better prepared for international cricket after playing around the world in T20 tournaments likes PSL, IPL and Big Bash League.

“The experiences you gain all around the world are invaluable. I’ve spent time in the IPL, I’ve played two Big Bashes, I’ve been in South Africa as well as Pakistan, playing with all the different players around the world," said Livingstone. "In three months I spent time around Babar Azam and then straight into the IPL where we had Steve Smith. Franchise cricket is a great place to learn, especially when you’re not playing international cricket, and [it’s] great for developing your game."

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"Just being able to train alongside them, watch them training and sit at dinner and chat cricket and just learn how they go about things on and off the field. It’s been pretty cool to spend time with these guys," he added.

Livingstone has scored 429 runs in his 19 matches in Pakistan Super League (PSL), while he was drafted for the second time by Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming season of IPL. The all-rounder was is in rich vein of form, having scored 426 runs for Perth Scorchers in the recently-concluded season of BBL.