Both players were among seven cricketers removed from Pakistan's squad and sent home following the team's heavy defeat in the second Test at Lord's. They had been summoned by the NCCIA and appeared before the agency on Thursday. At least one of the players is understood to have spent several hours with investigators. One player has reportedly been given a questionnaire and asked to submit written responses to the NCCIA next week. The exact reason for the questioning remains unclear, and it is not yet known whether the investigation is connected to the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) separate internal disciplinary inquiry. PCB Conducts Separate Inquiry Earlier this week, the PCB announced that it had launched an internal disciplinary investigation following media reports concerning discipline and conduct. The board did not identify any players but said the matter was being reviewed internally under PCB regulations. The developments come after Pakistan's disappointing Test campaign in England. Pakistan lost the first Test by an innings and 103 runs before suffering a 194-run defeat at Lord's. Following the second Test, seven players, along with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, were removed from the squad. Seven replacements were subsequently sent to England, with five of them yet to make their international debuts. Rizwan's Form Under Scrutiny Rizwan's batting form was a concern throughout the England tour. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 12, 41, 7 and 1 in his four innings, following similarly modest returns during Pakistan's two-Test series in the Caribbean. His wicketkeeping, however, remained highly regarded. Until the West Indies series, Rizwan had been Pakistan's leading Test run-scorer since January 2024. His dismissal for just one run in the second innings at Lord's, when he attempted an awkward shot, drew significant criticism amid Pakistan's disappointing performance. Questions Over Imam's Injury Imam-ul-Haq's situation also attracted attention during the Lord's Test. The opening batter was diagnosed with a Grade 1 tear in his left calf after the first day's play and did not take part in either of Pakistan's innings. On the final morning, Imam attempted some light batting during the team's warm-up but appeared to struggle physically. Pakistan's chief selector and director of high performance, Aaqib Javed, publicly questioned the nature of Imam's injury at the time and indicated that the matter could be investigated. PCB Chairman Hints at Wider Issues PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, while defending the decision to make sweeping changes to the squad, suggested that factors beyond on-field performances had influenced the move. "We have had a discussion to ascertain the reasons behind it. They include factors beyond performance and we will get to the bottom of it," Naqvi said. The PCB also issued a notice to its selectors following the Lord's Test, seeking written explanations for the selection of Rizwan and Imam for both the West Indies and England tours. The selectors were asked to explain the reasons for their selections and outline the process through which the decisions had been made within 24 hours of receiving the notice. The upheaval also resulted in former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq resigning from his position as a selector following the squad changes. With the NCCIA questioning now added to the PCB's internal inquiry, the controversy surrounding Pakistan cricket's England tour continues to unfold.

India secured their place in the final with a convincing 40-run victory over Bangladesh, with Deepti once again playing a starring role with the ball. The all-rounder claimed three wickets for 26 runs and has now become the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 11 dismissals. With Pakistan and defending champions Sri Lanka set to battle for the other final spot, the possibility of another high-profile India-Pakistan final is firmly alive. However, Deepti said India's approach would remain the same regardless of their opponents. "Doesn't matter, like maybe Sri Lanka, Pakistan, whoever comes in the final," Deepti said after India's semi-final win. "We always think as a team how we can do better in each and every game." India to Study Second Semi-Final Deepti revealed that the Indian team would watch the Pakistan-Sri Lanka semi-final before developing their strategy for the title clash. "After this game, we'll sit together tomorrow and we will see tomorrow's game. That will help us to do more strategy towards the finals," she said. India have been unbeaten throughout the tournament and have already defeated Pakistan in the competition. In that match, India bowled Pakistan out for just 55 before chasing down the target with 68 balls remaining. Deepti also played an important role in that victory, taking two wickets. Deepti Enjoys All-Round Contribution Although her bowling has been the highlight of the tournament, Deepti also made a useful contribution with the bat against Bangladesh. She scored an unbeaten 13 from six deliveries, including a four and a six. The experienced all-rounder said contributing in both departments has always been an important part of her game. "Actually, when I started my cricket journey, it was as an all-rounder, so it always helped from the starting only," she said. "Whenever I get an opportunity in batting, I always trust that I can contribute in batting also. So I'm glad about the few balls I got to hit today. It always gives me confidence." Deepti added that she is comfortable whether India bat or bowl first, stressing that her priority is to contribute in whichever department the team needs. Fielding Remains a Concern for India Despite their unbeaten run, India still have an area that needs improvement ahead of the final — their fielding. India dropped four catches during the semi-final against Bangladesh, continuing a worrying trend that could prove costly in a tight final. Deepti, however, backed her teammates and said the squad has been working hard on its catching and fielding during training. "As a team in fielding, we have been doing good work in training. We are doing practice sessions taking a number of catches as well as fielding also," she said. "I think that it will be a day here or a day there, it happens. But we are always up for the finals as a team in all three departments." India will now wait to discover whether Pakistan or defending champions Sri Lanka will stand between them and the Women's T20 Asia Cup title.

Chris Green starred with a superb four-wicket haul as the Tridents successfully chased down a modest target in their latest Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 encounter on Thursday. The victory took Barbados to eight points from eight matches, while the defeat left the Patriots in sixth place. Patriots Collapse After Early Setbacks Put in to bat first, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots endured a disastrous start, slipping to 6 for 3 early in their innings. Johnson Charles, Kyle Mayers and Andre Fletcher failed to make an impact, with Green claiming two of the early wickets. Alick Athanaze and Jason Holder attempted to steady the innings, but Green continued to trouble the Patriots' batting line-up. He dismissed Athanaze before removing Dasun Shanaka, leaving the Patriots under severe pressure. The situation worsened when Holder was dismissed in the 12th over, reducing the Patriots to 51 for 6. However, Wanindu Hasaranga launched a counter-attacking innings to give his side some hope. The Sri Lankan all-rounder smashed 45 off just 25 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes. Jeremiah Louis added a quick 12 from eight deliveries as the Patriots reached 118 before being bowled out from the final ball of the innings. Green finished with outstanding figures of 4 for 20 from four overs. He also contributed two catches, earning the Player-of-the-Match award for his all-round performance. Tridents Recover After Early Wickets Chasing 119, Barbados Tridents also found themselves in trouble early. Brandon King was dismissed in the opening over, while Rivaldo Clarke soon followed. Daniel Sams then became Zachary Carter's third wicket, leaving the Tridents struggling at 27 for 3. Quinton de Kock provided the stability his team needed. The South African wicketkeeper-batter remained unbeaten on 44 from 43 balls, anchoring the chase through the difficult middle overs. Shadrack Descarte contributed 19, while Sherfane Rutherford provided an aggressive boost with 23 from just 17 deliveries. Daniel Sams eventually sealed the victory, finishing unbeaten on nine from four balls as the Tridents reached their target with four wickets in hand. Green’s All-Round Display Proves Decisive Jason Holder was the Patriots' standout bowler, claiming three wickets, while Naseem Shah picked up two. However, the damage caused by the Patriots' batting collapse proved too difficult to overcome. Green's four-wicket spell and two catches played a central role in restricting the Patriots to 118, before de Kock and the Tridents' middle order guided Barbados home. The four-wicket win not only boosted the Tridents' hopes in CPL 2026 but also lifted them off the bottom of the standings and into fourth place.

Mohammed Shami marked his 100th first-class appearance with a match-winning performance for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final, but the milestone did little to diminish the fast bowler's hunger to keep competing at the highest level. At 36, Shami remains determined to continue pushing himself and believes motivation comes from constantly looking towards the next challenge. "No matter what stage you're playing at, your eyes must always be set on the next level," Shami said after the final day of the Duleep Trophy final in Chennai. Shami last represented India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final and has not played a Test for the country since the 2023 World Test Championship final. His latest performance, however, showed that his bowling skills remain highly effective, particularly in demanding conditions. "There are plenty of reasons to stay motivated if you look for them," Shami said. "You can take positivity from this ground or any ground you step onto. At this level, if you aren't self-motivated, your approach is wrong." The veteran pacer also spoke about the importance of playing for the team and wearing the India badge with pride. "I always say this: you play for the badge. When you wear that crest on your chest, the level of cricket doesn't matter," he said. "My mindset is simple: whichever level I get an opportunity to play, I want to make it count and fulfil my responsibility towards the team." Shami Makes an Impact in Chepauk Playing at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, where conditions largely favoured the batters, Shami found ways to influence the game. He generated conventional swing with the new ball and extracted reverse swing once the ball became older. His ability to hit the deck harder than South Zone's bowlers proved equally important. Shami shared five wickets with Mukesh Kumar as East Zone bowled South Zone out for 336. The effort gave East a substantial first-innings advantage and ultimately played a decisive role in their title triumph. Shami credited his ability to adapt and keep learning for his success. "I'm always learning and I look to keep learning," he said. "In conditions like these, you can't expect much conventional swing, and the bounce was quite low. I trust my line and length completely, and that's where I try to create wickets from." He also highlighted the importance of reverse swing in hot conditions. "And honestly, if you can't exploit reverse-swing in this kind of heat, what's the point?" he said with a laugh. Tactical Plan Behind Rasheed's Dismissal One of Shami's most impressive moments came when he dismissed top-order batter Shaik Rasheed. The fast bowler explained that the dismissal was the result of a deliberate plan rather than a moment of inspiration. "If top-order batters are set, you cannot get them out without a plan. Wickets don't just happen out of nowhere, especially on pitches like this," Shami explained. "The plan was to keep taking the ball away from him, build that expectation, and then reverse one back in sharply to trap him." The wicket also produced one of the lighter moments of the match. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who briefly took over as captain when Ishan Kishan was off the field on day four, was so delighted with the dismissal that he jumped onto Shami and rode piggyback on the experienced fast bowler. Shami Praises 15-Year-Old Sooryavanshi Shami revealed that the 15-year-old frequently jokes around with him, but he sees the youngster's confidence and openness as positive qualities. "He loves pulling my leg! I usually tease him back by saying he isn't even as old as my cricket career," Shami said. "But he constantly banters with me, and that's great to see. Being able to open up, mingle freely, and build camaraderie will serve him well going forward." Shami also believes that today's young cricketers require less traditional coaching because they are exposed to high-pressure environments at an early age through tournaments such as the IPL. "Most of these youngsters are already quite mature. With the level of cricket they play today, in the IPL and other high-pressure tournaments, maturity comes early, so you don't need to over-coach them," he said. However, the veteran added that experienced players and coaches still have an important role to play when matches enter decisive phases. "When the game gets tight and challenging, that's when you step in with tactical inputs and remind them to keep fighting," Shami said. For Shami, the 100th first-class game was therefore more than a landmark. It was another opportunity to compete, contribute and keep looking ahead — a mindset that suggests his cricketing journey is far from over.

Pakistan will look to end a decade-long wait for an Asia Cup final when they take on defending champions Sri Lanka in the Women's T20 Asia Cup semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan have not reached the final of the tournament since 2016, while Sri Lanka are aiming to make their third consecutive final appearance. The two sides are also familiar opponents, having faced each other in a bilateral series in Sri Lanka just last month. The semi-final could provide Pakistan with a chance to complete a full-circle moment. Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in the semi-final of the 2024 edition before going on to reach their first Asia Cup final since 2008. Sri Lanka Enter Unbeaten Sri Lanka have been one of the most impressive sides in the tournament so far, remaining unbeaten in the group stage. They recorded comfortable victories over the UAE and Indonesia before being pushed hard by Bangladesh. Captain Chamari Athapaththu has once again been central to Sri Lanka's campaign. Her seven-wicket haul against Indonesia underlined her effectiveness on spin-friendly pitches in Dubai. Athapaththu's opening partnership with Imesha Dulani has provided Sri Lanka with a strong start at the top of the order, while Nilakshika Silva's half-century against Indonesia and Harshitha Samarawickrama's unbeaten 48 against Bangladesh have strengthened their batting confidence. Samarawickrama, in particular, has emerged as an increasingly important player for Sri Lanka. The 28-year-old has already spent a decade in international cricket and has shown the versatility to bat in different positions. Against Bangladesh, she was promoted to No. 5 and held her nerve during a tense chase. Her ability to adapt to different roles could once again prove crucial in a knockout game. Pakistan's Batting Under Pressure Pakistan, meanwhile, have struggled to find consistency with the bat. They managed only 119 for 9 against Thailand and were dismissed for 55 against India. Their bowlers played a major role in securing victory over Thailand and keeping their campaign alive. Pakistan also lost the three-match bilateral series against Sri Lanka last month, although Fatima Sana was unavailable for that contest. The return of their captain could therefore be significant. Fatima has scored 407 T20I runs in 2026 at a strike rate of 150.74, while also taking 23 wickets — the most for Pakistan this year. She has taken five wickets in the ongoing Asia Cup but is yet to produce a major innings with the bat. Sri Lanka will be wary of her ability to attack spin, particularly given her strong record against them, with a strike rate of 143.24. At the top of the order, Pakistan will hope Shawaal Zulfiqar and experienced opener Muneeba Ali can provide the aggressive start the team has lacked. The pair are yet to fire together in the tournament. Muneeba is also just 109 runs away from becoming the fourth Pakistan batter to reach 2,000 T20I runs. Team News Both teams are coming off victories and are expected to retain their winning combinations. Sri Lanka could, however, consider bringing in slinger Mithali Ayodhya for the knockout encounter. Probable Sri Lanka XI: Imesha Dulani, Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wicketkeeper), Sugandika Kumari, Chethana Vimukthi/Mithali Ayodhya, Chamudi Praboda. Probable Pakistan XI: Muneeba Ali (wicketkeeper), Shawaal Zulfiqar, Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Sadaf Shamas, Fatima Sana (captain), Umm-e-Hani, Eyman Fatima, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal. Dubai Pitch Could Favour the Spinners The match is scheduled to begin at 6:30pm local time, with temperatures expected to remain around 36°C. The Dubai surface has generally favoured slower bowling during the tournament, although fast bowlers have found some early movement and pace. Interestingly, teams chose to bowl first in nine of the 12 league-stage matches. However, the team batting first won eight of those 12 games, suggesting that winning the toss may not necessarily determine the outcome. Head-to-Head Pakistan have the historical advantage against Sri Lanka, winning 12 of their 24 T20I meetings, with one match ending without a result. However, recent form favours Sri Lanka, who have won three of the last five encounters. Sri Lanka have also made the final in each of the last two editions of the Women's T20 Asia Cup, winning the previous tournament. Pakistan's last appearance in the final came in 2016. With a place in the final at stake, Pakistan will hope their experienced campaigners and in-form captain can finally deliver the batting performance they have been searching for. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will aim to continue their unbeaten run and move one step closer to defending their title.

India have received a major boost ahead of their upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, with Jasprit Bumrah declared fit and available for selection. Meanwhile, Yash Thakur has been brought into the squad in place of Harshit Rana, who has suffered a fresh injury during rehabilitation. Bumrah, along with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar, had initially been included in India’s squad for the Afghanistan T20Is subject to fitness clearance. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Thursday that all three players have been cleared to participate in the series. Bumrah had missed the third ODI in England in July as well as India’s subsequent two Tests in Sri Lanka after suffering a recurrence of a left-knee injury. His return provides India with a major boost ahead of a busy period that also includes the Asian Games. Harshit Rana Ruled Out After Fresh Injury Rana, who had suffered a hamstring injury during India’s tour of England, has now been ruled out after picking up another setback while undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. According to the BCCI, Rana had been making good progress before sustaining a rectus femoris strain while bowling during a match simulation on September 7. “He was progressing well during his rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE). He sustained a rectus femoris strain while bowling during a match simulation on September 7 and has subsequently been ruled out,” the BCCI said in a statement. Yash Thakur has been named as Rana’s replacement in both the Afghanistan T20I and Asian Games squads. Yash Thakur Earns Another Opportunity The 27-year-old Thakur made his T20I debut in July during India’s tour of Zimbabwe. He featured in two matches and impressed with the ball, claiming two wickets in each game. Thakur was most recently in action for Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-final against East Zone. He picked up three wickets in the first innings, including the prized scalp of Ishan Kishan, before taking another wicket in the second innings by dismissing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The fast bowler has also gained considerable franchise experience, having played four IPL seasons for Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings. Afghanistan Series Before Asian Games India will host Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series in Delhi, with the games scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17. The same squad will then travel to Japan for the Asian Games. India will enter the men's T20 competition at the quarter-final stage on September 28, followed by the semi-finals on October 1 and the final on October 3. With Bumrah back in the squad and several returning players declared fit, India will be looking to build momentum during what promises to be a busy stretch of T20 cricket. India’s Updated Squad for Afghanistan T20Is and Asian Games Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur.