The ICC has revealed the match officials for the group stage of the upcoming T20 World Cup, starting on February 7. A total of twenty-four umpires will supervise the matches, while six match referees will manage the games from February 7 to 20. For the much-awaited India vs Pakistan match, experienced umpires Richard Illingworth and Kumar Dharmasena will serve as the on-field officials.
Details about the match officials for the Super Eight and knockout stages will be shared soon. The first match of the T20 World Cup, featuring Pakistan against the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, will have Kumar Dharmasena and Wayne Knights as the on-field umpires. While it’s Knights’ first T20 World Cup as an umpire, Dharmasena is familiar with officiating in significant global events.
With 37 T20 World Cup matches officiated, including the finals in 2016 and 2022, Dharmasena brings extensive experience. Knights will mark his 50th T20I as an on-field umpire during the PAK vs NED match.
Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker will officiate the IND vs USA match
The opening day will see West Indies face Scotland at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, starting at 3 PM IST, with Nitin Menon and Sam Nogajski as the on-field umpires. Menon has a wealth of experience, having officiated in the first semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2024, while Nogajski handled four matches, including India’s game against the USA.
The India vs USA match on the opening day will begin at 7 PM at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, with Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker as the on-field umpires.
Umpires and officials for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Match Referees: Dean Cosker, Richie Richardson, David Gilbert, Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft, Javagal Srinath
Umpires: Roland Black, Chris Brown, Richard Illingworth, Kumar Dharmasena, Jayaraman Madanagopal, Richard Kettleborough, Wayne Knights, Chris Gaffaney, Adrian Holdstock, Donovan Koch, Nitin Menon, Ahsan Raza, Sam Nogajski, KNA Padmanabhan, Allahuddien Paleker, Gazi Sohel, Rod Tucker, Leslie Reifer, Paul Reiffel, Langton Rusere, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, Alex Wharf, Raveendra Wimalasiri, and Asif Yaqoob
