Lahore, October 3, 2024 – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed a high-profile panel of match officials for the upcoming three-match Test series between Pakistan and England, part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. The series, which promises to be a thrilling encounter between two cricketing powerhouses, will be held across two venues, Multan and Rawalpindi, from October 7 to October 28.
West Indies cricket legend Sir Richie Richardson, a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, has been entrusted with overseeing the playing control teams for all three Tests. His vast experience and impartiality will be crucial in ensuring the matches are played in accordance with the highest standards of the game.
The series opener will take place at the Multan Cricket Stadium from October 7 to 11. For the first Test, Sri Lanka’s Kumar Dharmasena and Bangladesh’s Sharfuddoula Saikat, both esteemed members of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, will be the on-field umpires. New Zealand’s Christopher Gaffaney, another elite umpire, will serve as the third umpire, while Pakistan’s Asif Yaqoob, part of the ICC International Panel of Umpires, will be the fourth umpire.
The second Test, also scheduled to be held at the Multan Cricket Stadium from October 15 to 19, will see Kumar Dharmasena continue his on-field duties, this time paired with Christopher Gaffaney. Sharfuddoula Saikat will switch to third umpire duties, while Pakistan’s Rashid Riaz, from the ICC International Panel, will act as the fourth umpire.
The series will conclude with the third Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, running from October 24 to 28. Christopher Gaffaney and Sharfuddoula Saikat will take charge as the on-field umpires, with Kumar Dharmasena overseeing operations as the third umpire. Pakistan’s Faisal Aafreedi, another member of the ICC International Panel of Umpires, will serve as the fourth umpire for the final fixture.
This highly anticipated Test series comes at a crucial juncture in the ICC World Test Championship cycle, with both Pakistan and England eyeing valuable points to enhance their standings. The appointment of an experienced and elite panel of match officials ensures that the series will be governed by the utmost professionalism, with the integrity of the game upheld.
Cricket fans from both nations and around the world are eagerly awaiting this series, which promises to showcase high-level competition, as well as the time-tested rivalry between Pakistan and England.