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ICC Names All‑Female Match Officials Panel for Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

The 18-member roster signals the ICC’s push to expand female representation in elite officiating, covering 33 matches in England and Wales.

Overview

  • The ICC announced the all-female panel on Thursday, May 28, naming 14 umpires and four match referees to officiate the 33 fixtures at the June 12–July 5 tournament.
  • Four umpires — Candace La Borde, Gayathri Venugopalan, Kerrin Klaaste and Shathira Jakir Jesy — will make their Women’s T20 World Cup debuts this year.
  • India has four representatives on the panel: umpires Janani N, Vrinda Rathi and Gayathri Venugopalan plus match referee GS Lakshmi.
  • The selection balances continuity and experience with nine returnees from 2024 and veteran Claire Polosak set for a sixth T20 World Cup appearance after 22 prior matches.
  • The ICC said appointments were based on evidence-based performance reviews, a step the body says will broaden the pipeline of elite female officials and shape match oversight at the expanded 12-team event.