The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the complete match officials panel for the upcoming T20I series against Australia. The three-match series will take place at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, from January 29 to February 1. This announcement adds further anticipation ahead of the high-profile contest.
All three matches will begin at 4:00 pm Pakistan Standard Time. Meanwhile, the coin toss will take place at 3:30 pm before each game. These timings ensure optimal playing conditions during the winter schedule.
Ali Naqvi, a member of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees, will lead the playing control team. He will officiate as match referee in all three fixtures. Notably, the second T20I will mark his 50th appearance as a match referee in the format. He officiated his first T20I at the same venue in April 2023. Therefore, the series carries personal significance for him.
Experienced umpire Ahsan Raza, from the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, will take on-field duties in the first two matches. He will be joined by Asif Yaqoob in the opening T20I. Rashid Riaz will partner him on the field in the second match. This combination brings extensive international experience to the series.
For the third T20I, Rashid Riaz and Nasir Hussain will serve as on-field umpires. Zulfiqar Jan, a member of the PCB National Elite Panel of Umpires, will act as the fourth umpire. This rotation ensures balanced officiating across the series.
Nasir Hussain will play multiple roles during the series. He will begin as the third umpire in the first match. Later, he will serve as the fourth umpire in the second T20I. He will then return as an on-field umpire in the final game. Such versatility highlights his experience and reliability.
Asif Yaqoob and Tariq Rasheed will handle third umpire duties in the second and third matches, respectively. Their inclusion adds depth to the officiating panel. Consequently, the board has ensured strong officiating coverage throughout the series.
Below is the match-wise breakdown of officials:
First T20I – January 29
On-field umpires: Ahsan Raza, Asif Yaqoob
Third umpire: Nasir Hussain
Fourth umpire: Rashid Riaz
Match referee: Ali Naqvi
Second T20I – January 31
On-field umpires: Ahsan Raza, Rashid Riaz
Third umpire: Asif Yaqoob
Fourth umpire: Nasir Hussain
Match referee: Ali Naqvi
Third T20I – February 1
On-field umpires: Rashid Riaz, Nasir Hussain
Third umpire: Tariq Rasheed
Fourth umpire: Zulfiqar Jan
Match referee: Ali Naqvi
Overall, the officiating panel reflects experience, balance, and continuity. As a result, fans can expect smooth match operations during this closely watched series.
