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ICC Names Elite Umpire Panel for T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s Stage

The International Cricket Council has released the list of umpires who will officiate during the Super 8s stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The opening match between New Zealand and Pakistan will be overseen by on-field umpires Rodney Tucker and Paul Reiffel. A host of other elite officials, including Richard Kettleborough, Chris Gaffaney, and Kumar Dharmasena, have been assigned to various high-profile fixtures. Match referee duties will be shared by former players including Ranjan Madugalle and Javagal Srinath.

Key Points: T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s Umpire List Released by ICC

  • Elite umpire panel announced
  • Key matches assigned for Super 8s
  • Mix of experienced and newer officials
  • Match referees include former cricketers
2 min read

T20 WC: ICC releases list of umpires for Super 8s

ICC announces match officials for T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s. See which elite umpires like Rodney Tucker and Paul Reiffel will oversee key matches.

"Rodney Tucker and Paul Reiffel will be in the middle for the opening Super Eights match - ICC Announcement"

Dubai, Feb 20

Rodney Tucker and Paul Reiffel will be in the middle for the opening Super Eights match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin with New Zealand taking on Pakistan on Saturday at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, with Allahudien Paleker in place as TV Umpire and Sam Nogajski taking on the role of Fourth Umpire.

Tucker and Nogajski will be the on-field team on February 28 when Sri Lanka face Pakistan in Kandy, while Nogajski will also oversee England's match with Pakistan at the same venue on February 24 alongside Nitin Menon.

Adrian Holdstock is also part of the Sri Lankan-based officials' team for the Super Eights stage and will be on-field alongside Ahsan Raza for England's clashes with the co-hosts in Kandy on February 22 and New Zealand five days later.

Paleker and Asif Yaqoob will be in the middle for Sri Lanka's meeting with New Zealand in Colombo on February 25.

Group 1 begins with co-hosts India taking on South Africa on February 22, and the experienced duo of Richard Kettleborough and Chris Gaffaney will be taking charge, assisted by TV Umpire Alex Wharf and Fourth Umpire Chris Brown.

Gaffaney and Wharf join forces for the final match of the Super Eight stage, India's match with the West Indies in Kolkata on March 1, while Wharf and Kettleborough are the on-field duo for the co-hosts' clash with Zimbabwe on February 26.

Zimbabwe are unbeaten after the group stage and will hope to take that momentum into their clash with the similarly in-form West Indies on February 23, with Richard Illingworth and Jayaraman Madanagopal overseeing the action in Mumbai.

Shahid Saikat and Kumar Dharmasena are the on-field team for the West Indies' match against South Africa on February 26, with Dharmasena back in place alongside Illingworth when the Proteas face Zimbabwe on March 1.

Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft, Richie Richardson, and Javagal Srinath share the match referee duties.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
The focus should be on the cricket, not the umpires. But honestly, after some past controversies, I'm glad ICC is putting experienced names like Kettleborough and Dharmasena for key games. Fingers crossed for a smooth Super 8s!
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Arjun K
All the best to the officials. It's a high-pressure job, especially in India with passionate crowds. Just hoping for consistency. No one wants a match decided by a dubious wide or LBW call.
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Sarah B
As a neutral fan living here, the mix of umpires looks balanced. But I have to respectfully ask - with so much technology (DRS), are we putting too much pressure on human umpires for marginal calls? The system needs to support them better.
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Vikram M
Javagal Srinath as match referee! Our very own pace legend. That's awesome. He knows the game inside out. Hoping India has a great run and the umpiring doesn't become the talking point. 🏏
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Karthik V
Solid list. The real test will be in those close India matches, especially against SA and WI. Hope Gaffaney and Wharf have a good day in Kolkata. Can't wait for the action to begin!

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