ICC announces match referees and umpires for IND vs PAK and other group Stage matches of T20 World Cup 2026
For the historic India vs Pakistan match, Richard Illingworth and Kumar Dharmasena, both experienced umpires, have been appointed as the on-field officials. The officials for the Super Eight round and the knockout matches will be announced later. Watch the video here.
The ICC has confirmed the list of match officials for the group stage of the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will start on February 7. A total of 24 officials will serve as on-field umpires, while six others will act as match referees from February 7 to February 20 during the group stage matches.
For the historic India vs Pakistan match, Richard Illingworth and Kumar Dharmasena, both experienced umpires, have been appointed as the on-field officials.
The officials for the Super Eight round and the knockout matches will be announced later. For the opening game between Pakistan and the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, Kumar Dharmasena and Wayne Knights will be the on-field umpires. This will be Wayne Knights’ first T20 World Cup, while Dharmasena is a veteran umpire in major events.
Dharmasena has officiated in 37 T20 World Cup matches, including the finals in 2016 and 2022. For Knights, the PAK vs NED match will be his 50th T20I as an on-field umpire.
Umpires for Opening Day Matches
On the opening day, Nitin Menon and Sam Nogajski will umpire the Group C match between Scotland and West Indies. Menon was part of the on-field team for the first semi-final of the 2024 World Cup between Afghanistan and South Africa. Nogajski officiated four group matches in 2024, including India vs USA.
Later on the same day, India and the USA meet again, with Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker as the on-field umpires. Tucker leads the tournament in matches officiated, with 46 games, and will reach his 50th T20I during this event. He will also umpire England vs Nepal, India vs Namibia, and South Africa vs UAE matches.
Other Key Officials
Chris Gaffaney and Richard Illingworth, who stood in the 2024 final, will officiate the Group B match between Australia and Ireland on February 11. Illingworth will also umpire the high-profile India vs Pakistan match in Colombo on February 15, alongside Kumar Dharmasena.
In total, 24 officials will serve as on-field umpires during the group stage. Other returning officials include Richard Kettleborough, Ahsan Raza, Langton Rusere, and Adrian Holdstock.
Match Officials at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Match Referees: Dean Cosker, David Gilbert, Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft, Richie Richardson and Javagal Srinath.
Umpires: Roland Black, Chris Brown, Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Wayne Knights, Donovan Koch, Jayaraman Madanagopal, Nitin Menon, Sam Nogajski, KNA Padmanabhan, Allahuddien Paleker, Ahsan Raza, Leslie Reifer, Paul Reiffel, Langton Rusere, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, Gazi Sohel, Rodney Tucker, Alex Wharf, Raveendra Wimalasiri and Asif Yaqoob.
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