Only One Indian Umpire in ICC U19 World Cup Officials Panel: Know Full Details

The preparations for the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 are in full flow as the tournament is just around the corner. The mega event is all set to take place from January 15 with the final scheduled to be played on February 6 as the event will be played in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

With the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 around the corner, all the teams have started putting in the hard yards. A total of 16 teams will be fighting each other and the winner takes the title, which will be up for grabs at the Harare Sports Club on February 6.

One Indian Umpire Named in ICC U19 World Cup 2026 Match Officials Panel

While the teams are making sure that they enter the tournament on the back of solid preparations, the ICC is also making sure that they are spot on with their things. The governing body has announced the list of umpires and match referees for the title.

Surprisingly, only one umpire from India has made the cut into the list. A total of 17 umpires and four match referees from the ICC International Panel of Umpires and Referees have been appointed, who are from the 13 different nationalities.

From India, Virender Sharma will feature in the list of umpires, while Prakash Bhatt will be in the match referees list. The ICC has also named two officials from the host nation Zimbabwe. Former cricketer Forster Mutizwa, who played 21 matches for Zimbabwe, will be there alongside Iknow Chabi.

From the West Indies, veteran Deighton Butler will feature in the umpiring panel and England’s Graham Lloyd too will be there. All of these are quite experienced and capable enough to become the best umpires in cricket in the near future.

ICC U19 World Cup 2026 Umpires List

Ahmad Shah Durrani (Afghanistan), Aidan Seaver (Ireland), Cory Black (New Zealand), Deighton Butler (West Indies), Faisal Afridi (Pakistan), Forster Mutizwa (Zimbabwe), Graham Lloyd (England), Iknow Chabi (Zimbabwe), Lubabalo Gcuma (South Africa), Masudur Mukul (Bangladesh), Nitin Bathi (Netherlands), Prageeth Rambukwella (Sri Lanka), Russell Warren (England), Shaun Haig (New Zealand), Shawn Craig (Australia), Virender Sharma (India), Zahid Bassarath (West Indies)

ICC U19 World Cup 2026 Match Referees

Dean Cosker (England), Graeme La Brooy (Sri Lanka), Neeyamur Rahul (Bangladesh), Prakash Bhatt (India)

When will ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 Start?

The ICC U19 World Cup 2026 begins on January 15 with India taking on the USA in the first match at Bulawayo. Being the most successful team in the ICC Under-19 World Cup history, India will start this tournament as big favorites.

They have some highly talented players who are capable enough of becoming the best cricketers in the world in future. Apart from them, Pakistan and the defending champions Australia will also be looking to make a mark here. The teams have started reaching Zimbabwe for the tournament and the tournament is expected to produce some exhilarating encounters.