The International Cricket Council (ICC) has named 17 umpires and four match referees from 13 different countries to officiate at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, scheduled in Zimbabwe and Namibia. The appointments reflect diversity, experience, and a commitment to fair play in youth cricket’s premier event.
The ICC has finalized the list of match officials for the upcoming U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, which begins on January 15 and runs until February 6 across Zimbabwe and Namibia. The tournament will feature 16 teams competing in 41 matches over 23 days, with officials drawn from the Emirates ICC International Panels of Umpires and Referees.
Key highlights from the announcement include
-
Seventeen umpires and four match referees will oversee the tournament.
-
Officials represent 13 different nationalities, showcasing global diversity.
-
Zimbabwe, one of the host nations, will have two umpires: Forster Mutizwa and Iknow Chabi.
-
Former West Indies international Deighton Butler and England’s Graham Lloyd are among the appointed umpires.
-
The four match referees include Dean Cosker (England), Prakash Bhatt (India), Graeme La Brooy (Sri Lanka), and Neeyamur Rahul (Bangladesh).
-
The appointments reflect ICC’s emphasis on combining experience with fresh perspectives in officiating.
-
The tournament will see debut participation from Tanzania, while Japan returns after last appearing in 2020.
-
India, five-time champions, will begin their campaign in Group B alongside New Zealand, Bangladesh, and the USA.
The announcement underscores ICC’s commitment to ensuring high standards of officiating in youth cricket’s most prestigious global event. With representation from across continents, the panel of umpires and referees is expected to bring both expertise and impartiality to the competition. The inclusion of officials from host nations also highlights ICC’s effort to promote local talent in international cricket governance.
Sources: ICC Media Release, Aaj English TV, Tribune India