Australia selector George Bailey has defended the decision to retain Marnus Labuschagne in the Test squad for the tour of South Africa despite the batter's lack of recent form. Labuschagne has not scored a Test century for nearly three years and was recently dropped from the ODI team.

The Tests against South Africa begin in Durban on 9 October. Bailey said the selection panel remains confident that Labuschagne can contribute in the longer format.

Labuschagne has been retained at number three for the two-Test series.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has seized the phones of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq and launched an investigation into their contacts in London. The move forms part of a wider disciplinary inquiry following Pakistan's Test series losses to England.

The board has not disclosed specific allegations or the expected duration of the probe. Seven players and two coaches were dropped mid-series, and national selector Misbah-ul-Haq resigned after the squad changes.

The PCB urged the public to rely on official updates amid growing speculation surrounding the team.

India seamer Arshdeep Singh conceded 51 runs in four overs without taking a wicket while playing for Ludhiana Lions against Fazilka Falcons in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League. Shubman Gill scored 40 off 21 balls for the Falcons, who won by one run.

Gill made his debut for Fazilka Falcons and was named Player of the Match. The match went to the final delivery.

Arshdeep Singh is the captain of Ludhiana Lions in the tournament.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has opened an inquiry into players' discipline and conduct following back-to-back Test defeats against England. The board removed seven players and two coaches during the tour and now seeks explanations for reported behaviour.

Former national selector Misbah-ul-Haq resigned after receiving a show-cause notice issued to the entire selection committee. The PCB urged the public to rely on official updates amid growing speculation.

Misbah said there is no quick fix and Pakistan must follow India's model of sustained domestic investment. The board has not named the players under scrutiny.

The Pakistan Cricket Board launched an inquiry into the conduct and discipline of its players following the team's performances against England. The board is examining player behaviour and off-field activities after consecutive Test defeats at Lord's and elsewhere.

Seven players and two coaches were removed from the squad during the ongoing series. Former national selector Misbah-ul-Haq resigned after the PCB issued show-cause notices to the entire selection committee. The board urged the public to rely on official updates amid growing speculation.

The inquiry covers contacts and activities of several players, including Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has faced criticism for involvement in selection matters during the tour.

The PCB has begun an inquiry into players' discipline and conduct following Pakistan's series defeat to England. The board urged the public to rely on official updates amid growing speculation surrounding players.

Reports indicate Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan are among those under scrutiny as the PCB widens its post-Lord's investigation. The inquiry examines players' contacts and activities during the tour.

Former coach Jason Gillespie separately claimed the board still owes him thousands of dollars from his time in charge.

South Africa have omitted Dewald Brevis from their ODI squad for the three-match series against Australia. Matthew Breetzke, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs were preferred as middle-order options. Temba Bavuma will captain the side; T20I captain Aiden Markram has been included only for the second and third ODIs.

Brevis equalled JP Duminy's tally of 71 sixes during the Namibia tri-series to become South Africa's joint fourth-highest T20I six-hitter. He finished the tournament as Player of the Series after scoring 226 runs in five innings and moved into the top four of T20I six-hitters behind Ishan Kishan, Sahibzada Farhan and Abhishek Sharma.

South Africa won the tri-series title despite resting several regular players. Brevis achieved the six-hitting record during three wins over Zimbabwe.

England have left Brydon Carse out of their 15-man squad for the third and final Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston. Matthew Fisher has also been omitted from the squad.

The decision follows Carse's omission from England's squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka. The ECB has advised Carse to address personal matters before potential recall.

Carse has remained unavailable for selection since an incident outside a pub during England's home Test series against New Zealand. The fast bowler has not featured for England since that episode.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar named AB de Villiers as the greatest T20 batter of all time. Patidar made the comment while discussing his own approach to T20 batting and the players who influenced his game.

Patidar has led RCB to back-to-back IPL titles in 2025 and 2026 after taking over the captaincy from Virat Kohli. The 31-year-old has credited de Villiers' innovative approach to T20 batting as a major influence on his own game.

The RCB captain's comments come after he guided the franchise to their first IPL title in 2025, ending an 18-year drought for the franchise.

Zimbabwe Cricket has appointed Mark Coles as the new head coach of the women's national team ahead of their T20I series against South Africa. Coles previously coached Pakistan and Scotland and was selected through a rigorous recruitment process.

The former Scotland coach will begin his tenure immediately with the upcoming series against South Africa. Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed the appointment on Monday, marking a change in leadership for the women's side.

The appointment comes as Zimbabwe prepares for the three-match T20I series that serves as preparation for upcoming international commitments.

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar said he has rarely seen Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni bonding off the field during their time together in the Indian team. Bangar disclosed the observation while discussing Kohli's early domestic career and his relationship with senior players.

Bangar noted that Kohli received his initial opportunity as a domestic player through Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The former all-rounder also said Kohli had so many achievements that decisions about his career were always his to make.

Bangar added that he has rarely seen the two players socialising outside cricket commitments. The comments come ahead of India's upcoming ODI series against the West Indies.

India's women's team refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi after beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in Dubai. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur followed the stance taken by the men's team at the same venue last September. The side did not attend the post-match presentation after posting 183 for five.

BCCI officials had informed the ACC in advance of the decision. Head coach Amol Muzumdar said the position was taken by the board and the team stood by it. Shafali Verma made 68 and Smriti Mandhana scored 59 in the final. Shree Charani took four for 20 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111.

The episode marks the second consecutive year India have declined to collect the trophy from Naqvi. The board has maintained that the stance is consistent across both men's and women's teams.

Former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar recalled that Royal Challengers Bengaluru gave Virat Kohli his initial opportunity as a domestic player before his international career developed. The comment comes ahead of India's ODI series against the West Indies and reflects on Kohli's long association with the franchise.

Bangar noted that Kohli had so many achievements that the decision to stay with RCB was always his choice throughout his career. The relationship between player and franchise has continued despite Kohli's move to Mumbai Indians for the current IPL season.

The comments highlight the role of franchise loyalty in Indian cricket and the pathways that allowed Kohli to establish himself in the domestic structure before becoming a senior international player.