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After a dominating series whitewash against Afghanistan, the Rohit Sharma-led Men in Blue are gearing up for the five-match Test series against England. On the other hand, Shaheen Shah Afridi's Pakistan continues to struggle as they are yet to win a match and trail the five-match T20I series 0-4 after the Kiwis clinched the fourth T20I by seven wickets.
Here in this article, we’ll look at all the big news that took place on Friday, January 19, but before that, let's check the matches scheduled for the day.
Today’s match preview:
BBL 2023-24: Perth Scorchers vs Adelaide Strikers
After the Sydney Sixers sealed the finals berth, Aaron Hardie's Perth Scorchers will take on the Adelaide Striker in the knockout clash at the Perth Stadium in Perth on Saturday, January 20 at 2:10 p.m. IST. While the winner here will have to face Brisbane Heat in the Challenger; the loser of this match will mark their exit from the tournament.
SA20 2024: Durban Super Giants vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape
Keshav Maharaj-led Durban Super Giants are scheduled to face Aiden Markram's Sunrisers Eastern Cape at the Kingsmead in Durban in the first clash of the day, 20th January at 5:00 p.m. IST. While the Giants were handed their first defeat of the tournament at the hands of Pretoria Capitals, the Eastern Cape have won only one match and are placed fourth in the points table.
SA20 2024: Joburg Super Kings vs Pretoria Capitals
Faf du Plessis-led Joburg Super Kings are scheduled to face Wayne Parnell's Pretoria Capitals at the Wanderer's Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, 20th January at 9:00 p.m. IST. While the Faf-led side are yet to win a game in the tournament and reeling at the bottom of the points table, the Capitals are placed just above them with a solitary win.
Major cricket events that happened on January 19
SA20 2024: Ryan Rickelton's half century gives Paarl Royals their first defeat; lose by 8 wickets
Unbeaten in their opening three games, table toppers Paarl Royals ran into a red-hot Ryan Rickelton, who hammered his fourth straight half-century of the tournament to script a convincing eight-wicket win for MI Cape Town on Friday, January 19. The Royals suffered a collapse in the middle overs and did not recover later on a they were restricted to 172/8.
Ben Dwarshuis & Moises Henriques power Sixers to BBL 2023-24 final
A strong bowling display headed by Ben Dwarshuis (5-21) and a composed half-century from skipper Moises Henriques (59 off 50 balls) were the highlights as Sydney Sixers registered a 39-run win over Brisbane Heat at the Carrara Oval on Friday, January 19. With this win, the Sixers sealed a berth in the finals while the Heat will have another chance to prove themselves as they take on the winner of Perth Scorchers versus Adelaide Strikers in the Challenger.
Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips shine as New Zealand beat Pakistan by 7 wickets
Pakistan's hopes of breaking their losing streak in the fourth match of the five-game series was quashed with 139-run stand between Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips in chase after New Zealand bowlers kept the visitors down to 158/5. Mitchell whacked 72 off 44 while Phillips made 70 off 52, helping the Kiwis to go 4-0 up in the series and hand Pakistan with a 7-wicket defeat.
IPL 2024 likely to start on March 22 or 23; schedule to be out soon
The 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the biggest T20 franchise league in the world, is likely to start on March 22 or 23 of this year. As per the reports, the schedule of the IPL 2024 is expected to be out soon, which would clarify the exact date for the beginning of the highly anticipated T20 tournament.
TATA to continue as IPL title sponsor for next five years
TATA, the Indian largest conglomerate, has secured the title sponsorship rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for five more years. After the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) emerged as the sole bidder for the IPL title sponsorship rights for the 2024-28 period during the bidding process, TATA used their right to match to pip them into getting the deal done.
WATCH: Rohit backs Virat Kohli and Sanju Samson’s intent in T20Is for India
After securing a 3-0 home T20I series win against Afghanistan, the Indian captain Rohit Sharma spoke about the player roles in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup 2024. He backed Virat Kohli and Sanju Samson’s intent despite both players getting out for golden ducks while trying to force the initiative in the third and final T20I of the series.
R Ashwin demands IPL contract for Afghan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib
Gulbadin Naib starred with his unbeaten 55 off 23 balls as he joined Mohammad Nabi in the list of joint-fastest fifty for Afghanistan in T20Is. With his superb knock, the all-rounder definitely did not go unnoticed. R Ashwin took to X demanding an IPL contract for Naib, writing, “Gulbadin Naib says “notice me please, will you”?? I am a finisher from Asia with a base price of 50L.”
ILT20 2024: MI Emirates announce Tim David as wildcard player
MI Emirates have named Tim David as the wildcard player for the 2024 edition. The Aussie all-rounder who joined the Mumbai Indians in IPL in 2022, was also a part of the MI New York in the inaugural MLC season and played the SA20 2023 for MI Cape Town. He will strength the lineup in the ILT20 alongside Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult, Dwayne Bravo, Ambati Rayudu and others.
Glenn Maxwell steps down as Melbourne Stars captain in BBL: Reports
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has reportedly resigned from the Melbourne Stars captaincy after the team’s dismal outing in the Big Bash League 2023-24. The club finished sixth in the 2023-24 edition and once again got eliminated from the playoffs race with only four wins from ten games. As reported by Fox Sports, Maxwell informed this decision to his teammates after their final league stage game.
WATCH: Usman Khawaja suffers nasty blow to chin; sent for scans
Australian opener Usman Khawaja suffered a nasty blow in the first Test against West Indies on Friday, 19th January. The Aussie, who was batting at the score of nine off 18 balls, sustained this blow in the seventh over off Shamar Joseph. However, he has passed the initial concussion test but was taken to the hospital for further scans.
Devon Conway tests positive of COVID-19; misses out of 4th T20I against PAK
Ahead of the fourth T20I against Pakistan, New Zealand were handed a major blow as their wicketkeeper-batter Devon Conway tested positive for COVID-19. The BlackCaps informed that Conway has been ruled out of the fourth T20I and will continue to remain in isolation at the team hotel in Christchurch. However, the side added Chad Bowes for the fourth T20I.
