Dubai, Jan 8 (NationPress) Virender Sharma and Prakash Bhatt from India have been included in the roster of 21 match officials for the forthcoming ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, which is slated to take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia starting January 15.

The ICC announced that a total of 17 umpires and four match referees from the ICC International Panels of Umpires and Referees have been selected for this prestigious event, showcasing officials from 13 different countries as the tournament kicks off.

The umpiring lineup features two representatives from the host nation, Zimbabwe. Among them is the former international cricketer Forster Mutizwa, who has played 21 matches across various formats for Zimbabwe, joining forces with compatriot Iknow Chabi.

This officiating team also includes seasoned professionals such as Deighton Butler, a former West Indies international, and Graham Lloyd from England, who follows the legacy of his father, David Lloyd, an esteemed former umpire turned broadcaster.

The four match referees appointed for the tournament are Dean Cosker (England), Prakash Bhatt (India), Graeme Labrooy (Sri Lanka), and Neeyamur Rahul (Bangladesh), each bringing significant international expertise to the proceedings.

ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta praised the World Cup as an excellent platform for umpires to demonstrate their decision-making abilities and prepare for larger stages. He stated, “This ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup is a fantastic chance for emerging talents in the sport to shine, and it also serves as a rewarding system for upcoming match officials.”

He further added, “We anticipate that this will be an ideal springboard for their careers as they advance in their officiating journeys.”

The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup is set to occur from January 15 to February 6, 2026. A total of 16 teams will compete in 41 matches, culminating in the final on February 6 at Harare Sports Club.

On the inaugural day, India will compete against the United States, while Zimbabwe will challenge Scotland, and Tanzania will make its historic tournament debut against the West Indies.

Matches will be held at five venues: Harare Sports Club, Takashinga Sports Club, and Queens Sports Club in Zimbabwe, along with the Namibia Cricket Ground and HP Oval Namibia.

The tournament format will consist of four groups of four teams each, followed by the Super Six stage, semi-finals, and the final in Harare.

Match officials for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026:

Umpires: Ahmad Shah Durrani (Afghanistan), Aidan Seaver (Ireland), Cory Black (New Zealand), Deighton Butler (West Indies), Faisal Afridi (Pakistan), Forster Mutizwa (Zimbabwe), Graham Lloyd (England), Iknow Chabi (Zimbabwe), Lubabalo Gcuma (South Africa), Masudur Mukul (Bangladesh), Nitin Bathi (Netherlands), Prageeth Rambukwella (Sri Lanka), Russell Warren (England), Shaun Haig (New Zealand), Shawn Craig (Australia), Virender Sharma (India), Zahid Bassarath (West Indies).

Referees: Dean Cosker (England), Graeme Labrooy (Sri Lanka), Neeyamur Rahul (Bangladesh), Prakash Bhatt (India).