logo
Match officials' schedule confirmed for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group stages

Match officials' schedule confirmed for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group stages

Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid will stand in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with the full match officials' schedule for the group stage now confirmed.
Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula will take charge on field as Pakistan take on New Zealand in Karachi on 19 February, the first of 12 group stage matches taking place across Pakistan and Dubai as the Champions Trophy returns for the first time since 2017.
Joel Wilson will be the TV umpire and Alex Wharf the fourth umpire. Andrew Pycroft will be the match referee.
The full match officials' schedule for the group stages can be found below:
Pakistan v New Zealand, 19 February – Karachi
On-field umpires: Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid
TV umpire: Joel Wilson
Fourth umpire: Alex Wharf
Referee: Andrew Pycroft
Bangladesh v India, 20 February – Dubai
On-field umpires: Adrian Holdstock and Paul Reiffel
TV umpire: Richard Illingworth
Fourth umpire: Michael Gough
Referee: David Boon
Afghanistan v South Africa, 21 February – Karachi
On-field umpires: Alex Wharf and Rodney Tucker
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough
Fourth umpire: Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid
Referee: Ranjan Madugalle
Australia v England, 22 February – Lahore
On-field umpires: Joel Wilson and Chris Gaffaney
TV umpire: Kumar Dharmasena
Fourth umpire: Ahsan Raza
Referee: Andrew Pycroft
Pakistan v India, 23 February – Dubai
On-field umpires: Paul Reiffel and Richard Illingworth
TV umpire: Michael Gough
Fourth umpire: Adrian Holdstock
Referee: David Boon
Bangladesh v New Zealand, 24 February – Rawalpindi
On-field umpires: Ahsan Raza and Kumar Dharmasena
TV umpire: Rodney Tucker
Fourth umpire: Joel Wilson
Referee: Ranjan Madugalle
Australia v South Africa, 25 February – Rawalpindi
On-field umpires: Richard Kettleborough and Chris Gaffaney
TV umpire: Alex Wharf
Fourth umpire: Kumar Dharmasena
Referee: Andrew Pycroft
Afghanistan v England, 26 February – Lahore
On-field umpires: Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and Joel Wilson
TV umpire: Ahsan Raza
Fourth umpire: Rodney Tucker
Referee: Ranjan Madugalle
Pakistan v Bangladesh, 27 February – Rawalpindi
On-field umpires: Michael Gough and Adrian Holdstock
TV umpire: Paul Reiffel
Fourth umpire: Richard Illingworth
Referee: David Boon
Afghanistan v Australia, 28 February – Lahore
On-field umpires: Alex Wharf and Kumar Dharmasena
TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney
Fourth umpire: Richard Kettleborough
Referee: Andrew Pycroft
South Africa v England, 1 March – Karachi
On-field umpires: Rodney Tucker and Ahsan Raza
TV umpire: Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid
Fourth umpire: Joel Wilson
Referee: Ranjan Madugalle
New Zealand v India, 2 March – Dubai
On-field umpires: Michael Gough and Richard Illingworth
TV umpire: Adrian Holdstock
Fourth umpire: Paul Reiffel
Referee: David Boon
ENDS

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Flawed' Test Championship reveals world cricket's underlying problems
'Flawed' Test Championship reveals world cricket's underlying problems

Khaleej Times

timea day ago

  • Khaleej Times

'Flawed' Test Championship reveals world cricket's underlying problems

Reigning champions Australia face South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's starting on Wednesday amid a chorus of criticism over the competition's format. Wisden, cricket's 'bible', was scathing in its assessment, with editor Lawrence Booth writing in this year's edition that the WTC is a "shambles masquerading as a showpiece". Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Atherton said "everyone knows the WTC in its present guise is flawed". One fundamental problem is that political tensions mean India and Pakistan, two of cricket's leading nations, have not played a Test against each other since 2007. The nine-nation WTC is further skewed because the teams are not being required to face each other or to play the same number of matches, unlike most sports leagues. Countries are free to decide how many Tests they would like to play in the two-year qualifying cycle -- something Booth wants doubled to four years, with the top nine in the rankings all playing each other, home and away, over series that last at least three Tests. Positions are calculated on the percentage of available points won by teams. South Africa have played just 12 Tests in the current cycle -- all of them two-match series -- compared to England's 22 -- and have not played either England or Australia. South Africa also sent a third-string side to New Zealand in early 2024, and lost. They kept their best players at home to appear in a domestic T20 competition. That was a financial sign of the times, as is Cricket South Africa not scheduling any home Tests for 2025/26. South Africa reeled off six straight wins to book their place in this year's final, only for former England captain Michael Vaughan to say they had got there "on the back of beating pretty much nobody". But Proteas coach Shukri Conrad objected that South Africa had beaten teams who had beaten the 'Big Three' of India, Australia and England. "One of the nobodies we beat won a Test match in Australia -- West Indies beat Australia in a Test match. They are not nobody," insisted Conrad. "New Zealand beat India: three-zip in India. New Zealand is not a nobody. "Sri Lanka won Test matches (against England and New Zealand).I don't buy this thing about us beating nobody." Victory in the final would be a boost to South Africa following years of hurt in ICC white-ball tournaments, with Conrad saying after qualification was secured. "I'm never going to apologise for getting into the final. "It's the biggest thing in this team's existence. It's the biggest thing for South African cricket at the moment." One of those involved in devising the points system, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP: "It's difficult to come up with a solution where everyone is happy given the barriers to an 'orthodox' table that exist, such as the India-Pakistan situation. "Commercial considerations will also mean the 'Big Three' will want to play each other in five-Test series." He added this was just as much a choice as England incurring the over-rate penalties that hampered their chances -- they've yet to reach a WTC final despite the first three editions all taking place on home soil -- with skipper Ben Stokes almost disdainful in his assessment of an "utterly confusing" format. Yet, New Zealand's win in the inaugural 2021 World Test Championship final was welcomed as a long overdue global triumph for a popular side. Australia's failure to qualify for that match was labelled a "big missed opportunity" by skipper Pat Cummins, who made amends with victory at in an Oval final two years ago. That India were beaten finalists in both the 2021 and 2023 WTC finals indicated there was still a place for the five-day game in world cricket's economic powerhouse, for all T20 events such as the Indian Premier League are the financial driving force. Indeed former India captain and batting star Virat Kohli, speaking after securing his long-awaited first IPL title following Royal Challengers Bengaluru's triumph in last Tuesday's final, said: "If you want to earn respect in world cricket all over, take up Test cricket and give your heart and soul to it." But the awkward question for cricket chiefs is whether the WTC is helping or hindering that aim.

ICC World Test Championship Final: A guide to Lord's
ICC World Test Championship Final: A guide to Lord's

Int'l Cricket Council

timea day ago

  • Int'l Cricket Council

ICC World Test Championship Final: A guide to Lord's

A unique sporting venue set to host the ICC World Test Championship Final for the first time in 2025, the history and grandeur of Lord's has to be experienced first-hand to be truly understood. With its famous pavilion and Long Room, it stands alone as a sporting venue for its heritage and tradition. Nestled in St John's Wood, a prosperous area of north west London, Lord's has hosted Test matches since 1884 and has witnessed a litany of iconic moments befitting of its affectionate nickname, 'The Home of Cricket'. The ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 will join a storied list of cricket matches to take place at Lord's when South Africa face Australia from 11 to 15 June. Lord's held its first international Test between England and Australia in 1884, though the origin of the ground itself dates back to 1814. The hallowed turf has since staged feats such as Don Bradman's famous 254 during the 1930 Ashes and Graham Gooch's 333 for England against India in 1990, still the highest individual Test score at the ground. Lord's has hosted the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Final five times, most recently the remarkable 2019 final between England and New Zealand. It has also twice been the venue for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Final, including the 2017 edition that saw England beat India in a thrilling final. Stars from South Africa and Australia will hope to join some of the game's finest players on the famous honours boards at Lord's, that sit in the pavilion to commemorate centurions and bowlers who have taken five wickets in an innings or 10 in a match. It is one of the many traditions at the famous ground, that also includes the notorious walk batters must make through the Long Room when called to the crease. The Long Room is also host to a number of portraits commemorating the great and the good of both English and international cricket, with the likes of W.G. Grace, Charlotte Edwards, Sir Ian Botham and Shane Warne all honoured. Some traditions are newer at the historic venue, with the now ceremonial ringing of the five-minute bell introduced in 2007, an honour now bestowed to figures within the sport. Those looking for an extra slice of history do not have to venture far, with Lord's home to the MCC Museum, one of the oldest sports museums in the world. Its collection includes the original Ashes urn and the first Men's and Women's Cricket World Cup trophies. Cricket is not the only sport Lord's has hosted, with real tennis and rackets still played on the same site while baseball, hockey and lacrosse have all previously taken place. It also memorably hosted archery at the London 2012 Olympics. ENDS

Watch: Indian cricketer Rinku Singh gets engaged to MP Priya Saroj in private ceremony
Watch: Indian cricketer Rinku Singh gets engaged to MP Priya Saroj in private ceremony

Khaleej Times

time2 days ago

  • Khaleej Times

Watch: Indian cricketer Rinku Singh gets engaged to MP Priya Saroj in private ceremony

Indian cricketer Rinku Singh and Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj marked the beginning of their journey together with a private yet glamorous engagement celebration on Sunday, June 8, at The Centrum, a luxury hotel in Lucknow, as reported by Indian media. The private yet glamorous event marked the joining of two influential worlds — sports and politics. Indian media reported the couple arriving at the venue in coordinated white and pink outfits, radiating joy. The venue itself was beautifully decorated with floral arrangements and soft lighting, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for the celebration. The ceremony was attended by over 300 guests, including former cricketers like Praveen Kumar and Piyush Chawla, UP Ranji captain Aryan Juyal, and several prominent political figures such as SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, MPs Jaya Bachchan, Dimple Yadav, and Iqra Hasan. Congress leader Rajeev Shukla and veteran politician Ram Gopal Yadav also graced the occasion. Watch the videos below: ð��´BREAKING | 'सिà¤�à¥�सर à¤�िà¤�à¤�' नà¥� रहनà¥� रिà¤�à¤� à¤�à¥�रिà¤�à¥�à¤�र रिà¤�à¤�à¥� सिà¤�ह à¤�र साà¤�सद रà¥�रिया सरà¥�à¤� à¤�à¥� हà¥�à¤� सà¤�ाà¤�, दà¥�à¤�à¥�à¤� वà¥�डियà¥� #RinkuSingh | #PriyaSaroj #Engagement #UttarPradesh | #Lucknow — NDTV India (@ndtvindia) June 8, 2025 Their wedding, scheduled for November 2025 in Varanasi, will mark a new chapter in both their personal and professional lives. About the couple Rinku Singh, 26, is a prominent cricketer for the Kolkata Knight Riders and has represented India in ODIs. Priya Saroj, also 26, is a first-time Member of Parliament representing Machhlishahr constituency and is the daughter of the influential Samajwadi Party MLA Tufani Saroj. The couple's wedding is set for November 2025 in Varanasi. Priya's father, Tufani Saroj, also mentioned that the marriage was arranged with mutual consent after a meeting between both families in Aligarh. 'Rinku and Priya have known each other for some time. They met through Priya's friend's father, who is a cricketer himself. With the blessings of both families, they decided to get married,' the would-be-bride's father told Indian media.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store