In a landmark announcement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the stellar lineup of umpires and match referees set to officiate in the upcoming ninth edition of the Men’s T20 World Cup. This edition of the tournament promises to be monumental, as it marks the first time in history that 20 teams will compete for glory on the global stage.

A total of 20 umpires and six match referees have been selected to oversee the action-packed tournament, which will feature a staggering 55 matches played over the course of 28 days at nine prestigious venues. This makes it the largest ICC T20 World Cup to date, promising an unparalleled showcase of talent and excitement.

Selection reflects history

Among the esteemed umpires gracing the tournament is Richard Illingworth, who clinched last year’s prestigious David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year. Illingworth will be joined by seasoned veterans such as Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, and Paul Reiffel, all of whom played pivotal roles in the thrilling Final of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 between England and Pakistan at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The distinguished panel of match referees is equally impressive, featuring the likes of Ranjan Madugalle, who officiated the gripping 2022 Final. Leading the team is Jeff Crowe, renowned as the most experienced referee in the T20 format, boasting a remarkable record of officiating in a staggering 175 T20Is. Also standing out is Andrew Pycroft, a valued member of the elite group, who is just one match away from achieving the significant milestone of 150 T20I appearances.

“We are confident that our officials will perform strongly…”

Wasim Khan, ICC General Manager – Cricket, shared his thoughts on the selection of the Match Officials for this historic event, emphasizing the importance of their role in ensuring the smooth and fair conduct of the tournament. Wasim khan added, “We are pleased to announce our team of match referees and umpires for the historic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

“Within the selected cohort, we have a compliment of experienced match officials and other high performing members who have been recognized for their strong and consistent performances. The throughput from the pathway programme will continue to see the development and emergence of high-quality match officials across the game.

“With 20 teams and 55 matches played over 28 days, this will be the biggest T20 World Cup ever and we are proud of the team we have assembled. We are confident that our officials will perform strongly.

“We wish them all the best of luck for what promises to be a very exciting tournament.”

With such a stellar lineup of umpires and referees at the helm, fans can expect nothing short of exceptional standards of officiating throughout the tournament, adding to the excitement and prestige of the Men’s T20 World Cup.

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Umpires: Chris Brown, Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Allahudien Paleker, Richard Kettleborough, Jayaraman Madanagopal, Nitin Menon, Sam Nogajski, Ahsan Raza, Rashid Riaz, Paul Reiffel, Langton Rusere, Shahid Saikat, Rodney Tucker, Alex Wharf, Joel Wilson and Asif Yaqoob.

Match referees: David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft, Richie Richardson and Javagal Srinath.