Umpires Announced for T20 World Cup Opener, Shahid Saikat to Make History
Bangladeshi umpire, Shahid Saikat, is set to make history as he officiates the first game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on 1 June between USA and Canada. This marks the first time a Bangladeshi umpire has been appointed for the prestigious T20I men’s event.
Saikat’s impressive portfolio includes officiating five matches at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, as well as serving on the panel for two ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2018.
Joining Saikat for the inaugural match is Richard Illingworth, the current and three-time recipient of the David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year. Richie Richardson will act as the match referee, with Sam Nogajski named the TV umpire and Langton Rusere as the fourth umpire.
Alongside Nogajski, four other officials will make their senior men’s tournament debuts next month – Rashid Riaz, Jayaraman Madanagopal, Allahudien Paleker, and Asif Yaqoob.
Richard Illingworth and Shahid Saikat walk out to officiate the CWC23 match between South Africa and Sri Lanka // Getty Images
Match Officials for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024:
Umpires: Chris Brown, Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Allahudien Paleker, Richard Kettleborough, Jayaraman Madanagopal, Nitin Menon, Sam Nogajski, Ahsan Raza, Rashid Riaz, Paul Reiffel, Langton Rusere, Shahid Saikat, Rodney Tucker, Alex Wharf, Joel Wilson and Asif Yaqoob.
Match referees: David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft, Richie Richardson and Javagal Srinath.
‘Out of this World’ by Sean Paul and Kes: The official ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 anthem