Pakistan is preparing for a busy international cricket schedule as Sri Lanka visits for a three-match T20I series and a two-match World Test Championship series. Between those fixtures, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England will compete in a seven-match ODI tri-series.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has now announced the match officials for all 12 international matches, which will take place between October 9 and November 21.
The officials include experienced members of the ICC Elite Panel as well as umpires from the ICC International Panel. The appointments will cover matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Jeffrey Crowe to Lead ODI Tri-Series Officials
Former New Zealand Test cricketer and ICC Elite Panel match referee Jeffrey Crowe will lead the playing control team for all seven matches of the ODI tri-series.
The tri-series will run from October 18 to 31, with matches scheduled in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Crowe made his Test debut as a match referee in October 2004 during the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test in Faisalabad. He has since become one of the most experienced officials in international cricket.
Earlier this month, Crowe completed his 350th ODI as a match referee. He also became only the second person to officiate 700 international matches as a referee.
Ahsan Raza and Sharfuddoula Lead Umpiring Team
Pakistan’s Ahsan Raza and Bangladesh’s Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, both members of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, will officiate during the ODI tri-series.
They will be joined by ICC International Panel umpires Wayne Knights, Asif Yaqoob, Nasir Hussain, Rashid Riaz Waqar and Faisal Khan Aafreedi.
Knights will partner with Asif Yaqoob as an on-field umpire during the opening match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Ahsan Raza will officiate the final two matches of the tri-series as an on-field umpire. He will work alongside Sharfuddoula during the Sri Lanka-England match before partnering with Knights for the final.
Meanwhile, Faisal, Rashid and Nasir will each serve as on-field umpires for one match. Asif will officiate two matches.
Sharfuddoula and Knights will alternate as third umpire throughout the series.
Dean Cosker to Officiate Pakistan-Sri Lanka Tests
Former English first-class cricketer Dean Cosker will lead the playing control team during the two World Test Championship matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The appointment marks Cosker’s first experience as a Test match referee. He became an international match official in October 2024 and has since officiated 16 ODIs, 17 T20Is, three Women’s ODIs and six Women’s T20Is.
The two Tests will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
ICC Elite Panel umpires Adrian Holdstock and Allahuddien Palekar of South Africa, along with Australia’s Rodney Tucker, will handle the on-field duties.
Holdstock and Tucker will officiate the first Test in Rawalpindi. Palekar will then join Holdstock for the second Test.
Third and Fourth Umpires Named for Tests
Palekar will serve as the third umpire during the first Test, while Tucker will take the role for the second match.
Pakistan’s Faisal Khan Aafreedi will be the fourth umpire in the first Test. Asif Yaqoob will perform the same role during the second match.
The appointments will provide a mix of experienced international officials and members of the ICC’s current umpiring panels.
Ali Naqvi to Lead T20I Officials
The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will begin on October 9, followed by matches on October 11 and October 13.
ICC International Match Referee Ali Naqvi will lead the playing control team for all three T20Is.
Rashid Riaz and Nasir Hussain will serve as on-field umpires in the opening match. Faisal Aafreedi will then partner with Nasir in the second T20I.
Rashid will join Faisal as an on-field umpire for the third match.
Faisal, Rashid and Nasir will also rotate as third umpires across the three games. PCB National Elite Panel umpire Tariq Rasheed will serve as the fourth umpire in all three T20Is.
Pakistan Faces Packed International Schedule
The upcoming fixtures will give Pakistan a demanding stretch of international cricket at home. The schedule combines T20Is, World Test Championship matches and a high-profile ODI tri-series featuring England and Sri Lanka.
With the match officials now confirmed, preparations can move forward for the 12 international fixtures across Rawalpindi and Lahore.
The schedule will also bring several experienced international umpires and referees together with Pakistan’s leading officials. As a result, the coming weeks will feature a substantial programme of international cricket across all three formats.
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