Tournament returns after eight years with matches in Pakistan and Dubai.
The ICC has unveiled the officiating lineup for the group stage of the highly anticipated 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, marking the event’s return since its 2017 edition. The opening match on 19 February in Karachi will see Richard Kettleborough (England) and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (Bangladesh) as on-field umpires for the Pakistan vs. New Zealand clash. Joel Wilson (TV umpire), Alex Wharf (fourth umpire), and match referee Andrew Pycroft complete the officiating team for the tournament’s curtain-raiser.
High-Profile Fixtures and Key Appointments:
- Pakistan vs. India (23 February, Dubai): A blockbuster clash officiated by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Richard Illingworth, with Michael Gough as TV umpire and David Boon as referee.
- Australia vs. England (22 February, Lahore): Joel Wilson and Chris Gaffaney take the on-field roles, supported by TV umpire Kumar Dharmasena and referee Andrew Pycroft.
- New Zealand vs. India (2 March, Dubai): Michael Gough and Richard Illingworth to oversee the action, with Adrian Holdstock as TV umpire.
Full Group Stage Schedule (Officials):
- 19 Feb – PAK vs. NZ (Karachi): Kettleborough, Sharfuddoula (on-field); Wilson (TV); Wharf (4th); Pycroft (referee).
- 20 Feb – BAN vs. IND (Dubai): Holdstock, Reiffel (on-field); Illingworth (TV); Gough (4th); Boon (referee).
- 21 Feb – AFG vs. SA (Karachi): Wharf, Tucker (on-field); Kettleborough (TV); Sharfuddoula (4th); Madugalle (referee).
- 22 Feb – AUS vs. ENG (Lahore): Wilson, Gaffaney (on-field); Dharmasena (TV); Raza (4th); Pycroft (referee).
- 24 Feb – BAN vs. NZ (Rawalpindi): Raza, Dharmasena (on-field); Tucker (TV); Wilson (4th); Madugalle (referee).
- 25 Feb – AUS vs. SA (Rawalpindi): Kettleborough, Gaffaney (on-field); Wharf (TV); Dharmasena (4th); Pycroft (referee).
- 26 Feb – AFG vs. ENG (Lahore): Sharfuddoula, Wilson (on-field); Raza (TV); Tucker (4th); Madugalle (referee).
- 27 Feb – PAK vs. BAN (Rawalpindi): Gough, Holdstock (on-field); Reiffel (TV); Illingworth (4th); Boon (referee).
- 28 Feb – AFG vs. AUS (Lahore): Wharf, Dharmasena (on-field); Gaffaney (TV); Kettleborough (4th); Pycroft (referee).
- 1 Mar – SA vs. ENG (Karachi): Tucker, Raza (on-field); Sharfuddoula (TV); Wilson (4th); Madugalle (referee).
The 12-match group stage, spanning Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai, promises intense competition ahead of the knockout rounds. Notable referees include Ranjan Madugalle, David Boon, and Andrew Pycroft, overseeing key fixtures in the tournament’s first phase.
For venue details and ticketing updates, visit the ICC’s official platform.
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