Bangladesh’s Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat will officiate as an on-field umpire in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy. The match, set for February 19, will feature hosts Pakistan against New Zealand. England’s Richard Kettleborough will be his on-field umpiring partner.
On Monday, February 10, the ICC announced the umpire appointments for the group stage matches of the tournament. Saikat has been assigned to officiate in four of the 12 group-stage matches.
In addition to the opening match, he will serve as an on-field umpire for the Afghanistan vs. England match on February 26. He will also take on the role of fourth umpire in the Afghanistan vs. South Africa match on February 21 and act as the TV umpire for the South Africa vs. England match on March 1.
Saikat is the first Bangladeshi umpire to be included in the ICC Elite Panel. He recently gained attention for making some ‘bold’ decisions during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia. He is also officiating in the ongoing ODI series between India and England.
