As anticipation builds for the upcoming Test series between Pakistan and England, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the match officials who will oversee the three-match Test series. This is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. The series, which will take place across two iconic venues in Pakistan—Multan and Rawalpindi—is scheduled from October 7 to October 28, 2024.
Match Referee: Sir Richie Richardson
The match referee for all three Tests will be Sir Richie Richardson, a former West Indies captain and a highly respected member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. With his vast experience in the game, Richardson will lead the playing control teams throughout the series.
Test Series Schedule:
- First Test: October 7-11 at Multan Cricket Stadium
- Second Test: October 15-19 at Multan Cricket Stadium
- Third Test: October 24-28 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Umpiring Teams for the Series
The ICC has appointed an elite team of umpires for the series, with members from Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Pakistan taking up key roles across the three matches.
First Test: Multan Cricket Stadium, October 7-11
“Sri Lanka’s Kumar Dharmasena and Bangladesh’s Sharfuddoula Saikat will perform duties as on-field umpires. New Zealand’s Christopher Gaffaney will be the third umpire, while Pakistan’s Asif Yaqoob will serve as the fourth umpire.”
Second Test: Multan Cricket Stadium, October 15-19
“Kumar Dharmasena will continue his duties in the second Test, this time joined by Christopher Gaffaney for on-field umpiring. Sharfuddoula Saikat will take over as third umpire, while Pakistan’s Rashid Riaz will serve as the fourth umpire.”
Third Test: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, October 24-28
“Christopher Gaffaney and Sharfuddoula Saikat will serve as the on-field umpires for the final Test of the series, with Kumar Dharmasena as the third umpire. Pakistan’s Faisal Aafreedi will be the fourth umpire for this match.”
Elite Panel Leadership
The inclusion of umpires from the ICC Elite Panel ensures that the series will be officiated at the highest standards. Dharmasena, a former ICC Umpire of the Year, and Gaffaney bring a wealth of international experience to the series. This will be particularly important as the teams vie for critical World Test Championship points.
Conclusion
The appointment of experienced match officials reflects the significance of this series for both Pakistan and England. It will be exciting to see how the series unfolds, with top-tier umpires ensuring fair play in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
Fans will be eagerly watching not just the players, but the decisions of the umpires as well, given the pivotal role they play in shaping the flow of Test cricket.
Stay tuned as the action kicks off in Multan on October 7!
