Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced the match officials for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to be held from February 7 to March 8.
A total of 24 officials have been appointed as on-field umpires and six will serve as match referees during the group stage. Officials for the Super Eight and Knockout stages will be confirmed at a later date.
Kumar Dharmasena and Wayne Knights will act as on-field umpires for the opening match between Pakistan and Netherlands at the Sinhala Sports Club ground in Colombo.
The tournament will mark the Knights’ maiden appearance at the Men’s T20 World Cup, while Dharmasena continues to build on his extensive tournament experience.
A member of Sri Lanka’s 1996 Men’s World Cup-winning team, Dharmasena has officiated 37 matches in the Men’s T20 World Cup, including the 2016 and 2022 finals.
Meanwhile, the Knights will reach a milestone, standing in their 50th T20 International during the Group A clash.
Nitin Menon and Sam Nogajski will officiate the Group C match between Scotland and West Indies on the opening day in Kolkata.
Menon was part of the on-field umpire panel for the first semi-final of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup between Afghanistan and South Africa, while Nogajski umpired four group matches in the previous edition, including India’s game against the United States.
Later on February 7 in Mumbai, India will face the USA, with Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker appointed as field umpires.
Tucker, who leads the list of most capped officials at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the age of 46, is set to reach his 50th match during the tournament.
The Australian umpire will also oversee matches including England vs Nepal, India vs Namibia and South Africa vs UAE.
Chris Caffeny and Richard Illingworth, who refereed the 2024 final together, will reunite for the Group B clash between Australia and Ireland on February 11.
Illingworth will line up with Dharmasena in the top group match between India and Pakistan to be held in Colombo on February 15.
Match Officials for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Match Referees:
Dean Ghoskar, David Gilbert, Ranjan Madhugalle, Andrew Bycroft, Richie Richardson and Javagal Srinath.
Judges:
Roland Black, Chris Brown, Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Kaffane, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Wayne Knights, Donovan Koch, Jayaraman Madanagopal, Nitin Menon, Sam Nogajski, KNA Padmanabhan, Allauddin Palekar, Lee Paul Rees Raza, Assan Rees Raza Sharbuttullah Ibne Shahid, Ghazi Sohel, Rod Tucker, Alex Wharf, Ravindra Vimalasiri and Asif Yakub.