The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced the match officials for the group stages of the T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7. The officials for the Super 8 and knockout stages will be named at a later date.

A total of six match referees and 24 umpires have been appointed for the opening phase of the tournament, with several Indian officials featuring prominently. Kumar Dharmasena and Wayne Knights will officiate the tournament opener between Pakistan and the Netherlands, scheduled to be played in Colombo.

February 7 will also see Scotland face the West Indies in the afternoon fixture, with Nitin Menon and Sam Nogajski serving as the on-field umpires. Meanwhile, Rod Tucker and Paul Reiffel have been assigned officiating duties for India’s opening group-stage match.

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India will have strong representation among the match officials during the group stages. Former India captain Javagal Srinath has been named among the match referees, while Nitin Menon, Jayaraman Madanagopal and KNA Padmanabhan will officiate as umpires.

Pakistan will also be represented, with Asif Yaqoob and Ahsan Raza included in the umpires’ list. Bangladesh’s presence comes through Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and Gazi Sohel.

The ICC confirmed that appointments for the Super 8 and knockout rounds will be announced closer to the business end of the tournament.

Match officials for the T20 World Cup 2026 group stages

Match referees:
Dean Caosker, David Gilbert, Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft, Richie Richardson, Javagal Srinath.

Umpires:
Roland Black, Chris Brown, Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Wayne Knights, Donovan Koch, Jayaraman Madanagopal, Nitin Menon, Sam Nogajski, KNA Padmanabhan, Allahuddien Paleker, Ahsan Raza, Leslie Reifer, Paul Reiffel, Langton Rusere, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, Gazi Sohel, Rod Tucker, Alex Wharf, Raveendra Wimalasiri, Asif Yaqoob.