Liam Livingstone and Will Smeed’s efforts have helped Birmingham Phoenix secure their first points of The Hundred Men’s Competition 2025.

The duo powered Phoenix in a high-scoring chase, which they capped off with two balls and four wickets to spare. They went on to chase down 181 runs with two balls to spare.

By this win Phoenix secured 7th position of the The Hundred Men’s 2025 points table. Batting first, Oval Invincibles, made a solid total after knocks from Jordan Cox, Donovan Ferreira who went on to score 44 and 63 runs respectively.

With contributions from Sam Curran, Billings and Rashid Khan, Invincibles scored 180 runs in the game.

Trent Bould, Adam Milne and Howell went on to pick two wickets each, Livingstone and Mousley picked one wicket each.

In the pursuit of chasing 181 runs, Will Smeed and Ben Duckett opened the innings while Jason Behrendorff opened the bowling attack.

Smeed’s 51 runs off 29 deliveries and Liam Livingstone’s 69 runs has helped the side to march towards victory.

Saqib Mahmood went on to pick three wickets each while Nathan Sowler, Sam Curran and Tom Curran bagged one wicket each.

The Birmingham Phoenix needed 61 runs off 25 deliveries with six wickets in the bank when the Oval Invincibles brought Rashid Khan. He has been the ideal choice in such a situation to completely shut the chase with a boundary-less over a couple of wickets.

Livam Livingstone got stuck into Rashid Khan, hitting arguably one of the best white-ball spinners in the world where he picked three sixes and two fours.

The five-ball over yielded 26 runs where Rashid Khan went for 59 runs in his 20 balls which is the most expensive spell in The Hundred and the most expensive in his entire T20 career.

Liam Livingstone was named as the Player of the Match. Speaking on the post match conference, Liam Livingstone said, “Very special, we needed it. They (Oval Invincibles) are a great team and won two in a row, nice to get a win over them and get some momentum going forward.”

“I always back myself and thankfully it came off tonight. I got a good record against Rash (Rashid), just by stepping across and slogging him, I try and get underneath him I know he likes to target the stumps and thankfully, it is my day today.”

“Great win and we got ourselves back into the tournament and hopefully it gives the momentum going forward,” concluded Liam Livingstone.

Birmingham Phoenix will play their next match agianst Northern Superchargers on August 15 at Headingley, Leeds.