ICC announces match officials for T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals
ICC announces match officials for T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals. The knockout games will be held in Kolkata and Mumbai, and will be overseen by top international referees.
ICC announces match officials for T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals: in Kolkata
The first semi-final, between South Africa and New Zealand, will be held on March 4 at Eden Garden Stadium in Kolkata. ICC announces match officials for T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals, and the British Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf will oversee the pitch.
This cricket match will be special for Illingworth: it was he who refereed the semi-final between South Africans and Afghanistan two years ago. Warf has also crossed paths with the BLACKCAPS at this tournament, having worked on their winning run in the group stage.
Nitin Menon will be in charge of video replays in Kolkata, with Rod Tucker appointed as the reserve official. Javagal Srinath, representing India, will oversee compliance with the rules.
ICC announces match officials for T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals: in Mumbai
The second semifinal is scheduled for March 5. India and England will face off at the Wankhede in Mumbai. This confrontation has already become a matter of principle, and the refereeing team has been selected accordingly. The main referees will be New Zealander Chris Gaffaney and South African Allahuddin Paleker.
Gaffaney already worked at matches between these opponents in the playoffs of the last World Cup. Palecker is well acquainted with both teams from the current tournament, having refereed two England matches, as well as the game in which India beat the Netherlands. Adrian Holdstock from South Africa is backing up the video, and Australian Paul Ryffel has been appointed as the fourth official. Andy Pycroft from Zimbabwe has been tasked with maintaining order in Mumbai.
Ahead of the game against England, fans are particularly expecting a bright performance from Indian opening batsman Abhishek Sharma. Given his form, we can expect him to set the tone from the start. Sanju Samson, who has performed excellent in previous matches will also certainly want to repeat his success against established opponents.
The games will show who exactly will reach the final. The decisive match of the tournament will take place on March 8 at the world’s largest stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The location of the final has been decided in advance, and now it remains to be seen which two teams will qualify.
ICC announces match officials for T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals, and this time, everything is international, but with an eye on their previous experience. It’s clear the organization is trying to select those who have already worked with these teams before into important matches. In any case, spectators can expect two days of intense cricket, where any small detail can decide a place in the final.
