Picture Credit: X

Picture Credit: X

With the Rohit Sharma-led side gearing up for the five-match Test series, New Zealand is hosting Pakistan in the final T20I at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. With the five-match Test series approaching, Team India has been handed a massive jolt as they might miss veteran pacer Mohammad Shami, who is struggling to get fit with an unconfirmed status of the injury. In another big news which took the internet by fire, Shoaib Malik married to Sana Javed amid divorce rumours with Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza. 

Here in this article, we’ll look at all the big news that took place on Saturday, January 20, but before that, let's check the matches scheduled for the day.

Today’s match preview:

SA20 2024: Paarl Royals vs MI Cape Town

David Miller-led Paarl Royals are scheduled to face Kieron Pollard's MI Cape Town at the Boland Park in Paarl. The match which will be played on Sunday at 9:00 p.m. IST will be a repeat of Match 11, which was played at MI's home ground and where the Pollard-led side handed the Royals their first defeat of the season. Speaking of the standings, while the Royals are reeling at the top of table with three wins, the MI Cape Town are fourth with two wins and two losses so far in the tournament. 

Major cricket events that happened on January 20

Donovan Ferreira's superb knock help Joburg Super Kings snap their three-match losing streak with a six-wicket win

Donovan Ferreira's death-overs assault on Pretoria Capitals helped Joburg Super Kings snap their three-match losing streak with a six-wicket win, registering their first of the season on Saturday, January 20. The game was in the balance at a time, but Ferreira walked out and took it by the scruff of the neck, smashing a 18-ball fifty and finished it with 2 overs left.

Simon Harmer & Tristan Stubbs star in Sunrisers Eastern Cape's second successive win 

Sunrisers Eastern Cape registered their second win on the trot, overcoming Durban Super Giants by five wickets and in the process handed their opponents their second successive loss. Simon Harmer's four-wicket haul restricted the Super Giants to 159/7 despite a breezy half century from Wiaan Mulder. Tristan Stubbs's unbeaten 66 off 37 balls led the chase as the Sunrisers reached the target with four deliveries to spare at Kingsmead, Durban on Saturday.

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Adelaide Strikers to face Brisbane Heat in Challenger; knock out Perth Scorchers with a 50-run win

Perth Scorchers' hopes of making the BBL final for the fourth successive time were dashed by Adelaide Strikers who secured a 50-run victory in the knockout match at the Perth Stadium on Saturday. Jake Weatherald's fifty and useful knocks from Ben Manenti and Henry Thornton helped the Strikers post 155/7 after they had slipped to 95/6 at one stage. The Scorchers batters struggled throughout the chase as they were bowled out for 105. The Strikers will now face Brisbane Heat in the Challenger match on Monday to determine who will take on Sydney Sixers in the final.

Md Shami likely to miss entire ENG Tests; IPL participation in doubt

Indian pace sensation, Mohammed Shami is likely to miss the entire five-match Test series against England. However, Shami hasn’t been named in the squad for the first two Tests against England, new reports reveal that the veteran pacer will miss the entire series. Moreover, his participation in IPL 2024 is also under clouds as he will travel to London to consult an expert.

Shoaib Malik marries Sana Javed amid divorce rumours with Sania Mirza

Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik got married to popular Pakistani actor Sana Javed amid divorce rumours with Sania Mirza. Malik took to social media to share pictures from his wedding ceremony with the popular Pakistani actor on Saturday, January 20th. “Alhamdullilah ❤️ ‘And We created you in pairs”, the cricketer captioned the post.

From Sachin to Virat; list of cricketers invited to Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya

As the birthplace of Lord Ram, Ayodhya prepares for the auspicious Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the newly constructed Ram Temple on January 22, several top names from across the nation have received the invitations. From Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar to Indian batting sensation Virat Kohli, top household names from the sporting discipline have been invited to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.

Prithvi Shaw to miss initial stage of IPL 2024: Reports

Delhi Capitals opening batter Prithvi Shaw is likely to miss the initial stage of the 2024 IPL. “According to sources in the BCCI, Shaw, who has been out of action since August last year due to a knee ligament injury, will be put through a more rigorous workload over the next three week to assess if his knee can endure the increased demands,” the report stated.

Shoaib Malik's sister accuses cricketer of cheating: Reports

Shoaib Malik's sister reportedly made claims about his divorce from Sania Mirza. As per the reports by The Pakistan Daily, none of his family members attended his wedding as they were disappointed with his decision to get married again. Not only this, but Malik's sister claimed the reason behind the separation between the cricketer and Mirza was the former's extra-marital affairs.

Daryl Mitchell to miss 5th T20I vs Pakistan; replacement announced

All-rounder Daryl Mitchell has been ruled out of the final T20I against Pakistan. The star of the fourth T20I, who played an unbeaten knock of 72 off 44 balls will miss the fifth T20I as part of the ongoing workload management. The BlackCaps have called in all-rounder Rachin Ravindra for the final T20I in Christchurch.

Virat Kohli has big ego: Ollie Robinson ahead of IND vs ENG Tests

Ahead of the India vs England Test series, pacer Ollie Robinson has opened up on prospects to bowling out former India skipper Virat Kohli. “You always want to play against the best players, don’t you? And you always want to get the best player out. Kohli is one of those. He’s got big ego and I think playing on that,” said Robinson.

WATCH: Klaasen smashes longest six of SA20 reaching 105 meters

In the 12th match of the SA20 2024 between the Durban Super Giants and the SunRisers Eastern Cape, South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen smashed the longest six in SA20 history reaching 105 meters. Keshav Maharaj-led DSG won the toss and opted to bat first against Aiden Markram's SEC at the Kingsmead in Durban.

Not even thinking: Sarfaraz Ahmed quashes rumours of PAK exit

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed left the netizens buzzing after he emerged travelling abroad with son and wife. With reports surfacing around his migration to the UK over his uncertain future in the national team, the wicketkeeper-batter has quashed all these rumours. “I’m not even thinking about leaving Pakistan,” Sarfaraz was quoted by a Pakistan media outlet.

Zaka Ashraf resigns as Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board

The PCB has been handed a massive blow as Chairman Zaka Ashraf has become the latest member to step down from the post. “I was working for the betterment of cricket but it is not possible for us to work in this way. Now it is up to Prime Minister (Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar), whoever he nominates (will take my place),” said Zaka Ashraf as quoted by Geo News.