Bangladesh will still have representation at the T20 World Cup despite the national team not taking part, with Gazi Sohel and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat appointed as match officials for the tournament.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the full list of match officials in an official media release, naming the two Bangladeshi umpires among those selected for the global event.
Bangladesh have remained firm in their decision not to travel to India for the T20 World Cup, a stance that led the ICC to include Scotland in their place. However, the appointments of Gazi and Sharfuddoula ensure Bangladeshi involvement at the tournament in an officiating capacity.
A total of six match referees will officiate during the competition. They are Dean Cosker (England), David Gilbert (Australia), Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka), Andrew Pycroft (Zimbabwe), Ritchie Richardson and Javagal Srinath.
The umpires’ panel features an experienced group, including Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nitin Menon, Paul Reiffel, Rodney Tucker, Alex Wharf, alongside Gazi Sohel and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat, among others.
The tournament will begin on 7 February at the Singhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo, with Sri Lanka facing Pakistan in the opening match. Kumar Dharmasena and Wayne Knights will officiate as on-field umpires for the curtain-raiser.
