Travis Head and Steve Smith delivered stellar centuries on Day 3 of the 5th Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, guiding Australia to a dominant position. Their resilience and aggressive approach with the bat put England under severe pressure as the hosts built a healthy lead. With Australia reaching 518/7 at the close of play, they led England by 134 runs, giving them a firm grip on the game. The day saw England struggle to break through as both Head and Smith held their ground with determination, leaving the visitors with limited options for a counterattack. Australia’s surge in the third session, powered by these two centuries, put England in a position where they needed to regroup quickly to avoid being overrun.

Travis Head’s unstoppable 163 and Steve Smith’s calm 129 provides stability as Australia dominates

Head’s blistering knock of 163 (166 balls, 24×4, 1×6) was a masterclass in attacking cricket. His innings featured 24 boundaries and showcased his ability to accelerate the scoring when needed. Head came out with intent and found his rhythm early, dominating the bowlers with flair and composure. His aggressive yet calculated approach meant he was never bogged down, even when the pressure of taking Australia’s innings forward mounted. His partnership with Smith was crucial, and together, they pushed Australia from a solid foundation to a commanding position.

While Head provided the aggression, Smith’s 129 (205 balls, 15×4, 1×6) anchored Australia’s innings, providing the perfect balance. Smith, known for his meticulous technique and unwavering concentration, faced 205 balls and struck 15 boundaries along with one six. His innings was marked by patience and a deep understanding of how to build a long, impactful knock. While others around him lost their wickets, Smith remained resolute and kept the scoreboard ticking. Smith’s calmness, coupled with his ability to rotate the strike and build partnerships, ensured that Australia continued to dictate the flow of the match.

Also READ: Ashes 2025-26: Fans go wild as Steve Smith lights up SCG with 37th century in Test cricket

England’s bowling attack struggles with pressure and inaccuracy

England’s bowlers, despite their best efforts, were largely ineffective in stopping the flow of runs. The day belonged to Australia’s batters, but England’s attack had plenty to answer for. Ben Stokes, despite his reputation as a match-winner, struggled to find a breakthrough, ending the day with figures of 2/87 from 26 overs.

Similarly, Brydon Carse, who had been effective in previous sessions, ended with figures of 3/108 from 23 overs. The standout performer for England in the series so far was Josh Tongue, who took the crucial wicket of Alex Carey but otherwise failed to trouble the batsmen significantly. With the ball frequently drifting into the hitting zone and the seam movement limited, England’s bowlers found it difficult to create consistent pressure. As a result, they were unable to capitalize on any moments of vulnerability, leaving Australia in the driver’s seat. With their bowling attack now under pressure, England will need a monumental effort to try and restrict Australia’s further progress in the match.

Here’s how fans reacted: 

The greatness of Steve Smith in red ball is not his tons or his stats, it’s his ability to adapt anyway possible to score runs his fight with himself to find a method to get runs in any conditions is a delight to watch.🏏

— Shantanu Shrivastava (@DaKingInDaNorff) January 6, 2026

Only Don Bradman has more than Steve Smith’s 13 Ashes centuries, which feels apt. Smith’s status as Australia’s best batter since Bradman is hard to dispute.

— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) January 6, 2026

Best batter of this generation.#Smudge https://t.co/pnerz3Zqyj

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) January 6, 2026

Series-defining ton in the 1st Test, series-sealing ton in the 3rd Test & a series-championing ton in the fifth. All of them in a position where he’d not batted before at home. Best Test batter in the world or not, Travis Head is the most impactful Test batter in the world #Ashes pic.twitter.com/9ZSkqjLywJ

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 5, 2026

Travis Head in middle order 🗿
Travis Head as opener 🗿
Travis Head in Tests, in ODIs, in T20s 🗿

Head carried Australia in BGT last year, in The Ashes this year. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/4j4tonpNJW

— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) January 6, 2026

Travis Head the only bloke to successfully play BazBall this series. He’s everything we hoped Ben Duckett would be opening this series. Worst of all he seems like quite a nice bloke

— TheCricketMen (@thecricketmen) January 5, 2026

England have no full time bowling or fielding coach

This isn’t a serious management, as an opposition side you’d hope Key, Mccullum and Stokes continue as a combo #Ashes

— Chatil Panditasekara (@ChatilPandi) January 6, 2026

The top 10 run scorers & wicket takers in this Ashes have all been from England and Australia. This is called dominance 🔥

— Udit (@udit_buch) January 6, 2026

England waste a review on the nightwatchman, and have only one left, with the whole of day three stretching out before them.

— Lawrence Booth (@BoothCricket) January 5, 2026

Also READ: Ricky Ponting selects Australia’s 16-man squad for Ashes 2027; picks two uncapped players

Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan is reportedly preparing for a new chapter in his personal life, with multiple reports claiming that he will marry his Irish girlfriend Sophie Shine in February this year. The wedding is expected to take place in the Delhi-NCR region, marking his second innings in life.

While the couple is yet to make an official announcement, details surrounding the ceremony have begun to surface, sparking widespread interest among cricket fans and followers of the former India opener.

Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine: Wedding date and venue

According to reports, the wedding celebrations are scheduled for February 14-15, adding a symbolic touch to the occasion. The festivities are expected to be lavish in scale but private in nature, with Dhawan keen to strike a balance between intimacy and elegance.

The guest list is likely to include prominent names from the cricketing fraternity as well as select personalities from Bollywood.

Reports also suggest that Dhawan is personally overseeing the arrangements to ensure the celebrations remain meaningful rather than extravagant, reflecting his current outlook on life.

Delhi-NCR has reportedly been finalised as the venue to allow close friends and family to attend while maintaining discretion around the event.

Who is Sophie Shine?

Sophie Shine is an Irish national and a senior product consultant with a global financial services firm.

Beyond her corporate career, she is also actively involved with the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, working closely with Dhawan on various social initiatives.

Known to keep a low public profile, Shine has nonetheless drawn attention for her supportive presence in Dhawan’s life and her behind-the-scenes contribution to his philanthropic efforts. Those familiar with the couple describe her as grounded and deeply aligned with Dhawan’s values off the field.

Dhawan and Shine reportedly met in Dubai a few years ago, and their friendship gradually evolved into a relationship. The couple kept things largely private until May 2025, when they went public via social media, confirming what had been the subject of speculation for months.

They were first widely noticed together during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where their appearances together caught the attention of fans and media. Since then, the two have occasionally shared glimpses of their time together, while largely keeping their relationship away from constant public scrutiny.

Also READ: Sophie Shine describes first meeting with Shikhar Dhawan and the trait that caught her eye

A new beginning for Shikhar Dhawan after a difficult chapter

This will be Dhawan’s second marriage following his divorce from Aesha Mukerji, which was finalised in 2021. Dhawan shares a son, Zoravar, from his previous marriage, and has spoken in the past about the emotional challenges of that phase in his life.

Sources close to the former opener say that the upcoming wedding represents a fresh start. The couple is said to be approaching the occasion with “quiet happiness and gratitude,” choosing to focus on stability, companionship, and shared purpose.

Having stepped away from international cricket, Dhawan has increasingly focused on personal growth, philanthropy, and mentoring young players. His reported wedding plans reflect this transition, signalling a period of renewal both personally and professionally.

Also READ: In Pics – Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine enjoy a serene holiday in Ireland

MI Cape Town and Joburg Super Kings meet in the 15th match of SA20 2025-26 at Newlands, Cape Town, with both sides desperate to steady their campaigns after mixed early returns. Newlands’ true surface and quick outfield should again favour aggressive batting, but recent form and confidence levels could create a tighter contest than the squads on paper suggest.​

The Cape Town come into this game under pressure after a heavy defeat to Paarl Royals, leaving them in the lower half of the table and still searching for rhythm with ball in hand.​ Joburg Super Kings have blown hot and cold in the early rounds; their batting depth has produced bursts of dominance, but inconsistency and middle-overs stagnation remain concerns.​

The Cape Town, with a naturally aggressive top order and home advantage, may prefer batting first to post a total in the 170–185 range that lets their big-name attack hunt with scoreboard pressure.​ Joburg Super Kings, who traditionally back their chasing skills and depth, might lean towards bowling first if conditions hint at any early help, trusting their experience to track a target if the pitch holds true.​ On balance, JSK’s slightly deeper bowling unit and better early-table positioning give them a marginal edge, but MI Cape Town’s familiarity with Newlands and top-order quality keep this fixture finely poised ahead of a crucial evening in Cape Town.

MICT vs JSK, SA20 2025-26: Match details

• Date and Time: January 6 (Tuesday); 7:00 pm IST / 01:30 pm GMT / 3:30 pm Local
• Venue: Newlands, Cape Town

MICT vs JSK, Head-to-Head Record in SA20 2025-26:

Matches played: 8 | MI Cape Town won: 5 | Joburg Super Kings won: 3 | No result/Tied: 0

Newlands Pitch Report

Newlands in Cape Town promises a batting paradise for the SA20 clash between MI Cape Town and Joburg Super Kings. The pitch typically features true bounce and even pace, allowing openers to play fluent drives early on. A quick outfield amplifies scoring rates, with first-innings totals often exceeding 170-180 under lights. Seamers may extract slight new-ball movement, while spinners could find grip in the middle overs as the surface slows mildly. Dew might aid chasing later, favouring captains opting to bowl first in this high-octane T20 encounter. Expect a run-fest.

Also WATCH: 6,6,6,6,6,6: Dewald Brevis and Sherfane Rutherford unleash a flurry of sixes on MI Cape Town bowlers in SA20 2025-26

Squads

MI Cape Town: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Smith, Jacques Snyman, Tom Moores, George Linde, Rashid Khan (c), Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult, Dane Piedt, Karim Janat, Thomas Kaber, Tiaan van Vuuren, Tristan Luus, Daniel Lategan, Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius, Corbin Bosch

Joburg Super Kings: Faf du Plessis (c), Rilee Rossouw, Wiaan Mulder, Donovan Ferreira (wk), Matthew De Villiers, Dian Forrester, Shubham Ranjane, Duan Jansen, Janco Smit, Akeal Hosein, Richard Gleeson, James Vince, Imran Tahir, Reece Topley, Prenelan Subrayen, Daniel Worrall, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Nandre Burger, Steve Stolk, Neil Timmers, Jarren Bacher

MICT vs JSK, SA20 2025-26: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• MI Cape Town wins the toss and bats first
• MI Cape Town’s powerplay score: 50-60 (6 overs)
• MI Cape Town’s total score: 190-200

Case 2:

• Joburg Super Kings wins the toss and bats first
• Joburg Super Kings’ powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
• Joburg Super Kings’ total score: 180-190

Match result: Team batting first to win the contest

Also READ: Faf du Plessis recalls MS Dhoni’s iconic act after Donovan Ferreira’s stunning run-out for Joburg Super Kings in SA20 2025-26

Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder meet in a pivotal mid-season BBL|15 clash at Adelaide Oval, with the hosts looking to climb into the top-four conversation and the visitors desperate to arrest a worrying slide. Home conditions, better recent form and a more settled core make the Strikers slight favourites going into this contest.​

Adelaide Strikers sit mid-table with two wins from five, coming off a narrow defeat to Perth Scorchers that exposed their middle-order inconsistency but underlined their bowling depth.​ Sydney Thunder have managed just one win from six, losing their last three, and this game feels close to must-win if they are to stay alive in the playoff race.​

For the Strikers, Matthew Short’s all-round impact at the top, backed by the power of Chris Lynn and the finishing of Jamie Overton, has been central to their better performances, even if collapses have hurt them when early wickets fall.​ Thunder’s campaign has revolved around David Warner’s batting, he comes in off a recent T20 century and remains their big hope alongside the all‑round threat of Daniel Sams and the control of Chris Green with the ball.

AS vs ST, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: January 6 (Tuesday); 1:45 pm IST / 8:15 am GMT / 6:45 pm Local
• Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

AS vs ST, Head-to-Head Record in BBL

Matches played: 24 | Brisbane Heat won: 12 | Sydney Thunder won: 10 | No result/Tied: 2

Adelaide Oval Pitch Report

The Adelaide Oval is considered one of the most batting-friendly grounds in the BBL, offering consistent bounce and true pace that encourage stroke play. However, the venue does present a few challenges. With the lights on, the new ball often swings and seams, providing fast bowlers with early breakthroughs. As the game wears on, the pitch can lose a bit of its initial pace during the middle overs, allowing spinners and bowlers with clever variations to make an impact.

Squads

Adelaide Strikers: Matthew Short (c), Chris Lynn, Mackenzie Harvey, Liam Scott, Harry Manenti, Jamie Overton, Jerrssis Wadia, Luke Wood, Harry Nielsen (wk), Hasan Ali, Lloyd Pope, Jason Sangha, Henry Thornton

Sydney Thunder: David Warner (c), Sam Billings, Lockie Ferguson, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Cameron Bancroft, Wes Agar, Ollie Davies, Shadab Khan, Matthew Gilkes, Tanveer Sangha, Ryan Hadley, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Tom Andrews, Ravichandran Ashwin, Blake Nikitaras

Also WATCH: Sean Abbott rattles Jack Wildermuth’s stumps with a peach of a delivery in BBL|15

AS vs BH, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Adelaide Strikers wins the toss and bats first
• Adelaide Strikers’ powerplay score: 48-58 (6 overs)
• Adelaide Strikers’ total score: 170-185

Case 2:

• Sydney Thunder wins the toss and bats first
• Sydney Thunder’s powerplay score: 52-62 (6 overs)
• Sydney Thunder’s total score: 175-195

Match result: Team batting first to win the contest

Also WATCH: Tanveer Sangha takes a sensational diving catch to dismiss Josh Inglis in BBL|15

Australian opener Travis Head delivered a memorable performance on Day 3 of the fifth Ashes Test, producing a magnificent century at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Head brought up his hundred in emphatic style, completing the milestone in 105 balls with a crisp cover drive for four off Josh Tongue during the morning session.

The century marked Head’s 12th in Test cricket and his third of the ongoing Ashes series, further underlining his dominance against England’s bowling attack. Significantly, it was also his maiden Test hundred at the SCG, adding another special chapter to an already outstanding series for the left-hander.

Third Ashes ton takes Travis Head beyond 600-run mark

With this innings, Head crossed the 600-run mark in the current 2025-26 Ashes series, making it one of the most productive campaigns of his Test career. He earlier scored centuries in the first and third Tests, and his consistency across conditions has been a major factor in Australia’s strong position throughout the series.

Head’s ability to counter both pace and spin was once again on display as he rotated strike effectively and punished loose deliveries. His intent ensured England’s bowlers were kept under constant pressure, even as the pitch began to offer variable bounce.

Missed chance costs England dearly

England were given a brief opening when Head was on 121, but the opportunity slipped through their fingers. Will Jacks dropped a straightforward catch on the boundary off the bowling of Brydon Carse, allowing the Australian batter to continue his assault.

Travis Head looked to be a goner, but Will Jacks gave him a life with this drop on the boundary. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/iriHX0BzS7

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 6, 2026

The dropped catch proved costly, as Head capitalised on the reprieve by accelerating his scoring and further tilting the contest in Australia’s favour. His confidence grew as he began to manipulate the field and take calculated risks against England’s attack.

Head receives standing ovation from the Sydney crowd

Head’s innings eventually came to an end at 163, a knock that spanned 166 balls and was laced with authority. Attempting a sweep shot against Jacob Bethell, Head was struck on the pads and adjudged LBW.

As he walked back to the pavilion, the Sydney crowd rose to applaud a performance that combined aggression, resilience, and flair. The standing ovation reflected not just appreciation for the innings but also recognition of Head’s impact across the series.

Also READ: Ricky Ponting selects Australia’s 16-man squad for Ashes 2027; picks two uncapped players

Here are the reactions of fans:

600 runs for Travis Head in this Ashes series. 🌟

9 innings, 600 runs, 170 HS, 66.66 avg, 3 hundreds. pic.twitter.com/hTb994Rbb8

— Danish (@BhttDNSH100) January 6, 2026

🚨 600 RUNS FOR TRAVIS HEAD IN ASHES 2026 🚨#ashes25

⚡️123 runs in 1st Test.
⚡️170 runs in 3rd Test.
⚡️163 runs in 5th Test.

🔥ONE OF THE GREATEST ASHES PERFORMANCE EVER – TRAVIS HEAD🥶…!!! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/mhm2Dvp5LM

— lokesh logu (@lokeshl33240061) January 6, 2026

– 123 runs in 1st Test✅
– 170 runs in 3rd Test✅
– 163 runs in 5th Test✅

WHAT A PLAYER – TRAVIS HEAD❤🔥#ashes25 #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/D7GP5aXVnX

— usman (@Cricbyusman) January 6, 2026

FIRST PLAYER TO COMPLETE IN THIS ASHES 2025-26:

100 runs – Travis Head.
200 runs – Travis Head.
300 runs – Travis Head.
400 runs – Travis Head (Only).
500 runs – Travis Head (Only).
600 runs – Travis Head (Only).

– THE DOMINATION OF TRAVIS HEAD. 🥶🔥 pic.twitter.com/8740DWWZrK

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) January 6, 2026

Travis Head is the 4th player in the 21st century to score 600 runs in a single Ashes series. Smith (twice), Cook and Vaughan did it before him.

— Vijay Anaparthi (@VijayCricketFan) January 6, 2026

Travis Head’s epic 163 is the fastest Test 150 of all time at the SCG.

His final strike rate of 98.19 usurps the old record held by Clem Hill, who belted 190 off 200 rocks against South Africa all the way back in 1910! @FoxCricket #Ashes

— Will Faulkner (@WillFaulknerFOX) January 6, 2026

TRAVIS HEAD, WHAT A PLAYER. 👏

163 (166) with 24 fours & 1 six in 5th ashes test against England in SCG, beast Head.💀 pic.twitter.com/X4inNWj4I7

— Danish (@BhttDNSH100) January 6, 2026

Travis Head got standing ovation from SCG crowd after hitting 163 of 166 at strike rate of 98 in final game of the Ashes pic.twitter.com/EuvJtA4CIm

— Achyut Mishra (@achyutmis22) January 6, 2026

Magnificent Knock. Take a Bow Travis Head 163(166)
4s ➡️ 24
6s ➡️ 1
SR ➡️ 98.2#ashes25 #Ashes

— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) January 6, 2026

Most 150+ scores in Tests without ever scoring more than 175
7 – TRAVIS HEAD
6 – Dilip Vengsarkar
4 – Murali Vijay
3 – 7 players

#AUSvENG

— Swamp (@sirswampthing) January 6, 2026

Travis Head has his first Test century at the SCG and his third of the series!#Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/U3jcL2cRde

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2026

Also WATCH: Michael Neser takes a breathtaking catch to end Joe Root’s brilliant knock of 160 | Ashes 2025-26, Sydney Test

As Australia stood on the verge of wrapping up a successful 3-1 Ashes defense at home, legendary former captain Ricky Ponting looked ahead to the 2027 return tour in England. Speaking on 7 Cricket, the 51-year-old icon unveiled a ‘visionary’ 16-man squad that mixes a defiant trust in Australia’s aging ‘Golden Generation’ with the sudden injection of two teenage sensations. Ponting’s selections emphasize that while the ‘urn’ is safe for now, the battle in England conditions two years from now will require a specialized blend of veteran mastery and fresh, fearless legs.

Ricky Ponting’s vote of confidence on Pat Cummins and Steve Smith for Ashes 2025-26

Despite mounting concerns over an ‘aging core,’ Ponting has doubled down on experience. He emphatically backed Pat Cummins to lead the side into the 2027 series, dismissing any talk of the captain stepping away despite recent back issues. Most notably, he included Steve Smith (who will be 38) and Nathan Lyon (nearly 40), could be that their historical success against the Duke’s ball and mastery of English flight are assets that cannot be fast-tracked in younger players.

The new generation picks by Ponting for Ashes 2025-26

The headlines from Ponting’s reveal centered on two Victorian youngsters: 23-year-old Campbell Kellaway and 19-year-old Oliver Peake. Kellaway is viewed by as the technical heir to Usman Khawaja’s opening slot, while Peake, a left-handed prodigy who dominated the Under-19 World Cup, is the ‘X-factor’ inclusion designed to transition the middle order.

All-round balance for Australia against England

Addressing the need for versatility in England, Ponting retained Cameron Green despite a difficult 2025-26 summer where his batting average dipped to 32.25. Green’s “stiff and rigid” technique can be corrected and that his height remains a lethal weapon on English pitches. To provide insurance, he also named Beau Webster, the Tasmanian giant who has been in ‘stunning’ domestic form with both bat and ball.

Also READ: Alastair Cook opens up on possibility of becoming England’s next head coach

The pace battery and spin contingency

While relying on the ‘Big Three’ of Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood, Ponting’s squad ensures the pace attack isn’t left thin. He named Jhye Richardson and Scott Boland as the primary backup options, noting that Boland’s ‘heavy ball’ remains perfectly suited to the relentless lengths required at venues like Edgbaston and The Oval. In the spin department, Todd Murphy was named as the designated successor to Lyon, ensuring a ‘passing of the torch’ is ready to happen mid-series if required.

Ricky Ponting’s predicted Australia Ashes 2027 squad for England series:

• Leadership: Pat Cummins (c)
• Top Order: Travis Head, Campbell Kellaway, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith
• Middle Order/Youth: Oliver Peake, Beau Webster
• Wicketkeepers: Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis
• All-rounders: Cameron Green
• Fast Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Jhye Richardson
• Spinners: Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy

Also WATCH: Ashes 2025-26: Australia and England players unite to give Guard of Honour to Bondi terror attack victims at SCG

The Pakistan ODI captain, Shaheen Afridi, was ruled out of competitive cricket following an injury during a BBL match between the Brisbane Heat and the Adelaide Strikers. A major update has been issued confirming his recovery from the knee injury ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan have set their 2026 ICC T20 World Cup preparations in motion as they have announced the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka from the 7th of January. As per the understandings between the BCCI and the PCB, Pakistan will play all their matches outside India in a neutral venue.

With Sri Lanka as the official co-hosts of the competition, Pakistan are scheduled to play the entire tournament in the Lankan islands, and if they reach the knockouts, then even those shall be played in Sri Lanka. Hence, PCB announced the Sri Lanka tour on short notice and with approval from the SLC.

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Shaheen Afridi’s return date finalized ahead of ICC T20 World Cup

Pakistan had lost their seasoned pacer Shaheen Afridi ahead of the marquee tournament. Pakistan had to sustain injury blows to one of their most crucial campaigners in the ICC tournaments, Shaheen Afridi. The Pakistan ODI skipper suffered a knee injury during a BBL contest with the Brisbane Heat.

He was hence ruled out for the remainder of the BBL season, while other Pakistani players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, and Haris Rauf continued to star in the Australian T20 league.

The latest update through reports on Shaheen Afridi has clarified that the pacer has begun his rehab for his knee injury at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, and the doctors and physios have recommended him a one-week rehab.

Marking the end of his rehab, Afridi will resume bowling in the nets after his MRI report is satisfactory and no serious injury concern is noted through the reports.

🚨UPDATE ON SHAHEEN SHAH AFRIDI’S INJURY 🇵🇰

– He has begun rehab for his knee in NCA Lahore

– Doctors have recommended a 1-week rehab
– He will resume bowling after that.MRI report is satisfactory no serious injury,( Qadir Khawaja) pic.twitter.com/B4PG0qtllq

— junaiz (@dhillow_) January 5, 2026

Shaheen Afridi did not have a promising season in the BBL

The left-handed bowling all-rounder from Pakistan did not have a very promising debut in the Big Bash League. He was picked by the Brisbane Heat and featured in all four games before he was ruled out with an injury.

Playing for the Heat in his maiden BBL season, Afridi was quite ineconomical and leaked away a lot of runs in his spells. In the four matches, he managed to pick just 2 wickets, one against the Perth Scorchers and the other against the Sydney Thunder.

He also played against his teammates Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan, who are playing the BBL for the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades, respectively.

Will Shaheen Afridi play the Australia T20I series before the World Cup?

Shaheen was not picked in the Pakistan squad for the upcoming three-match T20I tour to Sri Lanka. The injury might have forced the PCB not to consider him for the preparatory series for the World Cup. However, a few days later, he was named in Pakistan’s provisional squad for the T20 World Cup.

Citing his major miss in the Sri Lanka tour, Shaheen might look forward to featuring in the home series against Australia. Australia and Pakistan were likely to schedule a three-match T20I series between January 30th and the 5th of February, while the ODI league of the series would be held in March after the proceedings of the ICC T20 World Cup.

ALSO READ: Shreyas Iyer officially appointed as captain on cricket comeback

Former England skipper Joe Root has backed Jamie Smith after the wicketkeeper-batter came under fire for his poor dismissal late on Day 2 (Monday, January 5) of the New Year’s Ashes Test at the SCG. Root said that it is easy to be overly critical of individual moments and added that mistakes are part of the game.

Smith threw away his start with a poor dismissal in the first innings. After scoring 46, he tried to smash a harmless bouncer from part-time bowler Marnus Labuschagne. However, he chipped the ball straight to the only fielder in front of square on the off-side, leaving commentators and experts stunned.

Jamie Smith’s Dismissal Triggers England Collapse at SCG

England let control slip at a crucial moment on day two at the SCG, with Jamie Smith’s dismissal proving to be the turning point. The visitors were well placed at 323 for 5, with Joe Root batting confidently on 129.

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Smith fell to a poor shot against part-time bowler Marnus Labuschagne, backing away to a short ball and hitting it straight to deep cover despite a packed boundary. The soft dismissal stunned observers and immediately shifted the momentum.

That moment triggered a collapse, as England lost five wickets for just 61 runs and failed to push past 400. Australia seized the opening, and England were eventually bowled out for 384. Smith has managed only one half-century in the series so far, scoring 60 in Adelaide.

It’s Very Easy To Over-Analyse Certain Dismissals – Joe Root On Jamie Smith

Joe Root defended Jamie Smith, saying individual dismissals are often judged too harshly. He explained that mistakes are part of the game and players learn from them rather than dwell on one moment. Root added that no one feels the disappointment more than the batter who gets out.

“It’s very easy to over-analyse certain dismissals, but sometimes you just make a mistake, and you have to learn from it and make sure you don’t make the same mistake again,” Root responded.

“Whenever someone loses a wicket, you’d be frustrated, but there’s no one more frustrated than the guy who’s lost his wicket. He’s working incredibly hard. There are times when you have to absorb pressure and understand when to put it back on, but I think that was an opportunity, and I back him 100 per cent to take that option again.”

You’re Always Trying to Read the Game – Joe Root

Joe Root said that batting is about reading the situation rather than forcing the pace. He stated that players should trust their judgment and back teammates who have proven ability to make the right calls.

“I think you’re always trying to read the game and play what’s in front of you. It’s not about deciding to suddenly score at 15 an over. You see an opportunity and back yourself to make the right decisions. When you’re batting with someone who averages over 40 and has had the start he’s had to his international career, you back him 100 per cent.”

Also read: Joe Root suffers back injury during Sydney Test vs Australia, England rocked by fresh blow

In a major setback for Delhi, Virat Kohli has made himself unavailable for the next match in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. Having featured in Delhi’s first two matches in the tournament, there were hopes that Kohli might return for at least one more game.

Virat Kohli opts out of Delhi’s next Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Railways

Following the footsteps of Rohit Sharma, who earlier opted out of Mumbai’s next match, Virat Kohli has decided to skip Delhi’s upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 match against Railways on January 6. He made this decision comes after fulfilling the BCCI is mandatory diktat.

There were reports that the former Indian captain was set to play one more game for Delhi in the ongoing 50-over tournament to maintain rhythm before joining the national squad for the upcoming ODI series against the Black Caps, starting on January 11 in Vadodara.

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Read Also: Virat Kohli on the verge of achieving 10 legendary milestones in the New Zealand ODI series

Rishabh Pant to miss Kohli’s services

But now it has suggested that the dashing right-handed batter is done with domestic duty. On Monday, January 5, an ANI journalist, Vipul Kashyap, revealed that Kohli will not return for Delhi’s next Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 game against Railways scheduled for January 6 in Bengaluru.

However, he has not mentioned anything about the possible reason behind the move. Tagging Kohli and the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), the journalist posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Virat will not play the VHT match tomorrow.”

Virat will not play VHT match of tomorrow @delhi_cricket @imVkohli

— vipul kashyap (@kashyapvipul) January 5, 2026

Virat Kohli’s performance in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Talking about Kohli’s performance for Delhi in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, the right-handed batter played a brilliant knock of 131 runs off 101 balls laced with 14 fours and 3 sixes against Andhra Pradesh and then made 77 runs off 61 balls against Gujarat.

BCCI’s Domestic Rule

Ahead of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26, the BCCI made it clear that centrally contracted players must play at least two matches in the tournament to stay in ODI plans.

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As a result, big names like Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, and others turned out for their state teams. Kohli has already played two games.

So even if he misses the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy game, there is no pressure from the BCCI, as he has followed the board’s guideline.

MrBeast Keen for Virat Kohli Collab

Meanwhile, Popular American YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson aka MrBeast has once again shown his interest in working with Virat Kohli. Ahead of the launch of Beast Games Season 2, he made it clear that he wants to collaborate with Kohli, citing his passionate Indian audience.

Donaldson was quoted as saying by NDTV: “Hey Virat Kohli, I’m trying to film with you.”

This is not the first time MrBeast has tried to connect with the Indian star. Back in April 2025, MrBeast had posted on social media asking: “Hey! Anyway I could get you in a video?”

MI Cape Town will take on the Joburg Super Kings in the fifteenth match of the SA20. This article provides details about the Joburg Super Kings’ Playing 11 vs MI Cape Town for the fifteenth match of the tournament.