Pakistan’s lady umpire Saleema Imtiaz speaks in an interview launched on September 15, 2024. — PCB web site
DUBAI: The Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced the umpires and match officers for the upcoming Ladies’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, set to happen in Pakistan from April 9 to April 19.
This six-team match will decide the 2 groups that may qualify for this 12 months’s ICC Ladies’s World Cup.
The officiating panel included 10 umpires and three match referees, with the host nation, Pakistan, represented by Faisal Khan Afridi and Saleema Imtiaz.
Notably, Saleema made historical past final 12 months as the primary lady from Pakistan to affix an ICC umpiring panel. On the time, she expressed her hope of inspiring a brand new era of umpires in Pakistan.
“This isn’t just a win for me; it’s a win for every aspiring female cricketer and umpire in Pakistan,” stated Saleema.
“I hope my success motivates countless women who dream of making their mark in the sport,” she added.
In addition to Faisal and Saleema, the panel will feature two umpires from Bangladesh, Masudur Rahman Mukul and Shathira Jakir Jesy, alongside Zimbabwe’s Sarah Dambanevana.
The panel will also include South Africa’s Donovan Koch and Babs Gcuma, West Indies’ Candace la Borde, Sri Lanka’s Dedunu de Silva, and Shaun Haig from New Zealand.
The appointed match referees include Ali Naqvi (Pakistan), Shandre Fritz (South Africa), and Trudy Anderson (New Zealand).
ICC Senior Manager for Umpires and Referees Sean Easey emphasised that the tournament offers an excellent opportunity for the officials to showcase their credentials.
“That is an thrilling alternative for our appointed match officers, overseeing this essential match, which is the final step for groups on the trail to the World Cup,” said Easey.
“Our officers are skilled and effectively ready, and we sit up for seeing them take part on this occasion,” he added.
