The record buy
Liam Livingstone's power is the stuff of legend: a 122-metre six against Pakistan in 2021, the longest in the history of the fixture, and a habit of hitting balls out of grounds in every league he plays in. He has played for England in all three formats, been a regular in the IPL for Punjab Kings, and played in the Big Bash, the Hundred and the SA20, where his hitting has made him one of the most sought-after players in franchise cricket. He bowls both leg-spin and off-spin, which makes him a genuine all-rounder rather than a batter who bowls.
- Role: All-rounder
- Team: Gulf Giants
- Batting: Right-handed
- Bowling: Right-arm leg-break
- Born: 4 August 1993
The $350,000 fee broke the ILT20 auction record of $260,000, set by Andre Fletcher and MI Emirates in Season 4 — and the Giants broke it twice in one afternoon, paying $310,000 for Rahmanullah Gurbaz as well. That is the scale of the franchise's ambition: the inaugural champions, without a title since 2023, decided to buy the two most expensive players in the league's history in a single day.
The fourth superstar
Livingstone's role is to be the fourth superstar in the Giants' batting order, behind Buttler, Klaasen and Miller — the player who bats at five or six and turns a good total into an unbeatable one. His power against both pace and spin makes him the hardest batter in the side to bowl to, and his bowling gives Jos Buttler an extra option: two or three overs of spin, bowled either way, that can break a partnership or hold an end.
His signing also changes the balance: with Livingstone, Omarzai, Wiese and Campher as all-rounders, the Giants can play an extra batter without weakening the bowling. That is the point of a $350,000 all-rounder — he covers two places at once.
A record fee, and the pressure that comes with it
The $350,000 price tag is the story of Livingstone's season before a ball is bowled. Record buys are judged differently: every failure is noticed, every innings is measured against the fee. But Livingstone has carried that pressure before — in the IPL, where his price was debated every season, and for England, where his place was questioned until his hitting answered it.
What’s next
The Giants open away from home, and their record signing gets his first outing on Sharjah's small ground: Sharjah Warriorz on Sunday 22 November, in the afternoon.
- Match 2 — vs Sharjah Warriorz: Sunday 22 November 2026, afternoon session, Sharjah.
- Match 5 — vs MI Emirates: Tuesday 24 November 2026, evening session, Dubai.
- Match 10 — vs Dubai Capitals: Saturday 28 November 2026, evening session, Dubai.
Qualifier 1 is on Tuesday 16 December, the Eliminator on Wednesday 17 December, Qualifier 2 on Friday 18 December in Sharjah, and the final on Sunday 20 December in Dubai.
The full list of every ILT20 fixture is on the ILT20 Schedule page. Follow every result as it happens on SialTV, with the points table updated after every match day.
Frequently asked questions
How much did Gulf Giants pay for Liam Livingstone?
He was signed at the Season 5 auction on 1 October 2026 for $350,000, breaking the ILT20 auction record.
What is Liam Livingstone known for?
His power hitting — including a 122-metre six against Pakistan in 2021 — and his ability to bowl both leg-spin and off-spin.
When is Gulf Giants' first match?
Match 2 against Sharjah Warriorz on Sunday 22 November 2026, in the afternoon session, in Sharjah.