Who will officiate the U19 Men’s WC final between India and England?
Synopsis
As the anticipation builds for the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final, Lubabalo Gcuma and Shaun Haig have been named as the on-field umpires for this thrilling encounter. Both India and England aim for glory at the Harare Sports Club. This matchup promises to be a captivating display of young cricketing talent!
Key Takeaways
Umpires: Gcuma and Haig appointed for the final.
Teams: India and England competing for the title.
Historic Match: Second final in U19 World Cup history between these teams.
Key Players: Standout performances from Sooryavanshi and Mayes.
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare.
Harare, Feb 5 (NationPress) Lubabalo Gcuma and Shaun Haig have been designated as the on-field umpires for the championship match of the 2026 ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, which will feature India facing off against England at the Harare Sports Club on Friday, as announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday.
India, the five-time champions, advanced to the final by successfully chasing down 311 runs to defeat Afghanistan in the semifinal on Wednesday, while England secured their place by overcoming the defending champions, Australia, with a 27-run victory.
Gcuma, who is from South Africa, has already officiated in India’s 18-run win against Bangladesh and their Super Six success over Pakistan, in addition to England’s seven-wicket win against Bangladesh, according to the ICC release.
Shaun Haig of New Zealand officiated during India’s victory against Afghanistan in the semifinal but has yet to oversee any of England's matches in the tournament. Zahid Bassarath will act as the third umpire, Masudur Mukul will serve as the fourth umpire, and Graeme La Brooy is the match referee.
This Friday's contest marks only the second final between India and England in the history of this competition. The first encounter in the finals occurred during the 2022 U19 World Cup held in the West Indies, where India emerged victorious.
Both teams enter the final undefeated—India is making their 10th appearance in the final, with six consecutive appearances, while England aims for their second U19 World Cup title, their first since 1998.
For India, led by Ayush Mhatre, the standout performer has been 14-year-old left-handed batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has amassed 264 runs, including three half-centuries, in six matches. Fast bowler Henil Patel has taken 11 wickets, leading India’s bowling unit.
On the other hand, for England, Ben Mayes has scored 399 runs, while captain Thomas Rew has contributed 299 runs, steering the batting lineup. Manny Lumsden leads the tournament's wicket tally with 15 wickets, and spinner Ralphie Albert has secured 10 wickets.
Point of View
It's essential to recognize the significance of the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final. This match not only showcases emerging talent but also embodies the spirit of competition between India and England, two cricketing giants. The appointment of experienced umpires reflects the importance of fair play and professionalism in this prestigious tournament.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the umpires for the U19 World Cup final?
Lubabalo Gcuma and Shaun Haig have been appointed as the on-field umpires for the final match.
When and where is the final match taking place?
The final match is scheduled for Friday at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.
Which teams are competing in the final?
The final will be contested between India and England.
What is the historical significance of this final?
This is only the second final between India and England in U19 World Cup history, with India winning the last encounter in 2022.
What are the key player stats for both teams?
For India, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has scored 264 runs and Henil Patel has taken 11 wickets. For England, Ben Mayes has 399 runs and Manny Lumsden leads with 15 wickets.
