PCB begins inquest into ‘discipline and conduct’ during England tour

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday said it has initiated an internal inquiry amid spiralling media speculation of disciplinary violations during the ongoing tour of England from where seven players were called back after massive losses in the first two Tests.

In a statement that did not any specify violation or the individuals involved, PCB’s media head Aamir Mir announced that the Board has initiated the inquiry owing to the media reports. “The Pakistan Cricket Board has initiated an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct, which are currently being reviewed internally,” he said.

“The PCB handles such matters in accordance with its standard procedure. The process is being conducted under PCB regulations, ensuring all concerned individuals are given due consideration,” he added. chincha.pl

PCB had recalled seven players, including seniors Muhammad Rizwan, Imam ul Haq and Salman Ali Agha, after Pakistan’s successive losses. The third and final Test of the series begins September 9.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

Despite the underwhelming form of Marnus Labuschagne and the scathing criticism from all quarters he’s received, including a particularly severe one from Ricky Ponting, the Australian selectors have not yet dropped or moved on from their incumbent No. 3 batter.

Labuschagne was named in the Australia squad for South Africa Test series that was announced on Monday. In addition to the 13 members that comprised the squad for the 2nd Test against Bangladesh, Australia have picked batting spin-bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly, pacer Michael Neser, and left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann.

While Ponting reckoned “it’s time to have a look at somebody else” for the No. 3 spot, the Australia chair of selectors George Bailey felt Labuschagne “can still make a positive contribution” in South Africa.

When was the last time Marnus Labuschagne scored a Test century?

Labuschagne’s century drought has extended to 43 innings, with his last Test hundred coming in July 2023. In this period, he has averaged only 24.69.

Last year, after the ICC WTC final, Labuschagne was dropped for the West Indies Test tour but found a way back in the team for the Ashes following outstanding performances in domestic cricket.

However, his return has been far from fruitful. He averaged 28 across 10 innings in the Ashes 2025/26 and managed scores of 1, 31, and 4 against Bangladesh.

Why Was Marnus Labuschagne Retained In Australia Squad For South Africa Test Series?

Bailey conceded that Labuschagne’s returns with the bat haven’t been up to expected levels, but he threw his weight behind the right-hander, pointing out that Labuschagne was dropped from the ODI squad that will take on Zimbabwe and South Africa to keep his focus entirely on the SA vs AUS Test series.

“We’re not shying away from the fact that we’d like some more runs from Marn. That’s clear. But we’re also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad. I think Marn will continue to prepare and refine how he will prepare for this series,” Bailey said.

“There’s potentially a simplification or an ability to focus purely on red-ball cricket for him in the fact that he won’t be in the one-day series leading up to it. So that may be a benefit. I’m not sure around that. He’ll prepare incredibly well, and specifically for this tour. In that squad of 16, I’m confident that he can still make a positive contribution.”

Labuschagne’s place at No. 3, though, is not certain, with Josh Inglis and Connolly offering exciting options who could score quickly on what are expected to be pace-friendly pitches in South Africa.

Australia squad for South Africa Test series:

Pat Cummins (C), Alex Carey (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Starc, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Michael Neser, Beau Webster, Scott Boland, Cooper Connolly, Nathan Lyon

South Africa vs Australia Test series schedule:

• 1st Test: October 9–13, 2026, Kingsmead Cricket Stadium, Durban
• 2nd Test: October 18–22, 2026, St. George’s Park in Gqeberha
• 3rd Test: October 27–31, 2026, Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town

Get the Latest Cricket Updates at IceCric.News. Also, Follow Our Social Media for live updates on Facebook and Instagram.

Zheng Qinwen has done it again. Two days after fighting back from 5-0 down against Madison Keys, the Chinese player produced another comeback from the same score line to beat former champion, Poland’s Iga Swiatek to reach the quarter-finals of the on-going 2026 US Open .

Zheng won 7-5, 6-3 on Monday, turning a match that looked to be slipping away into one of the biggest wins of her career. Swiatek had won the first five games and looked in control but Zheng refused to let the set go.

She began finding her range, hitting with more power from the baseline and making Swiatek work for every point. The former world No. 4 won seven games in a row to take the opening set 7-5. She then carried that momentum into the second set and finished the match in straight sets.

Also Read: US Open 2026: After six losses, Frances Tiafoe finally secures rare and hard fought win over old rival Daniil Medvedev to reach quarter-finals

The win came just two days after another remarkable fightback against Madison Keys. Zheng had been 0-5 down in the deciding set and was facing match point before turning the match around to win 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5. It was the first time in her career that she had come back from 0-5 down to win a set.

This time, she did it against a player who had beaten her in seven of their previous eight meetings. Swiatek had also won the first five games, but Zheng again found a way back. The victory leaves her with a 2-7 record against the Pole, with both wins coming on big stages, the 2024 Paris Olympics and now the US Open.

The run is even more impressive given where Zheng started the tournament. She had to come through qualifying after a long spell out with a right elbow injury.

The 23-year-old had fallen to No. 121 in the rankings, but has now won seven matches in a row in New York. She is also the first qualifier to reach the US Open quarter-finals since Emma Raducanu in 2021.

Zheng will face Elena Rybakina in the last eight. The Kazakh player beat Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 to book her place in the quarter-finals.

Zheng’s quarter-final tie against Rybakina will be an extremely tough one as the Kazakh won the Australian Open 2026 title earlier this year on the hard court, beating the dangerous Aryna Sabalenka by 4-6, 6-4 and 4-6 in straight sets.

The last eight match will take place tomorrow from 9:00PM (IST) onwards.

India pace ace Arshdeep Singh posted a sweet online message for girlfriend Samreen Kaur on the occasion of her 27th birthday on Monday.

Arshdeep Singh

Sharing a series of pictures of the couple to his 5.9 million Instagram followers, the left-arm seamer wrote: “Happy birthday, meri jaan. My crazy, smart, mature, beautiful partner. I love you so much.”

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever