The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled the lineup of match officials for the highly anticipated HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9. Spanning from February 17 to March 18, the tournament will feature thrilling cricketing action across four dynamic venues.
Excitement is palpable as cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the action-packed matches that will unfold across Lahore, Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. The initial phase of the tournament will see 14 matches taking place from February 17 to 27 in Lahore and Multan, followed by 16 matches in Karachi and Rawalpindi from February 28 to March 12.
The cricketing extravaganza will culminate with the Qualifier, eliminators, and the grand finale scheduled to be held in Karachi from March 14 to 18.
Among the esteemed officials selected to oversee the matches are four members of the ICC’s elite panel of umpires: Richard Illingworth, Chris Gaffaney, Ahsan Raza, and Michael Gough.
These seasoned umpires will be joined by a talented lineup of local umpires including Abdul Moqeet, Aleem Dar, Tariq Rasheed, Shozab Raza, and others. Their collective expertise will ensure that the matches are conducted with fairness and precision.
Richard Illingworth and Michael Gough bring a wealth of experience to the league, having officiated in multiple editions of the tournament. Illingworth, in particular, has served as an umpire in 48 matches throughout the history of the HBL PSL.
Gough, on the other hand, will mark his debut in the league, adding a fresh perspective to the officiating team. Other notable officials include Tariq Rasheed, who will serve as the TV Umpire, and Muhammad Javed, who will officiate as the match referee.
The selection of match officials underscores the PCB’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of cricketing excellence. Roshan Mahanama, a former member of the ICC’s elite panel of match referees, will lead the team of match referees. With 97 matches of experience under his belt, Mahanama brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to his role.
The opening match of the tournament, set to take place between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United in Lahore, will be officiated by veteran umpires Aleem Dar and Michael Gough.
Tariq Rasheed will serve as the TV Umpire, while Shozab Raza will assume the duties of the reserve umpire. Muhammad Javed will oversee the match as the match referee, ensuring that the game is conducted in accordance with the highest standards of sportsmanship and integrity.
As cricket fans gear up for what promises to be an electrifying season of the HBL PSL, the announcement of match officials adds to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the tournament.
With a stellar lineup of umpires and match referees in place, fans can expect nothing short of thrilling encounters and nail-biting finishes as their favorite teams battle it out for supremacy on the cricketing stage.
