The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially unveiled the list of match officials who will oversee the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 Qualifier, set to be held in Lahore, Pakistan, from April 9 to April 19.
A total of 10 umpires and three match referees have been appointed for this crucial tournament. The Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 Qualifier will be a high-stakes competition featuring four Full Member teams – Bangladesh, Ireland, Pakistan and the West Indies – alongside Associate nations Scotland and Thailand. The six teams will compete in a 15-match round-robin format, with the top two sides securing their spots in Women’s ODI World Cup, scheduled to take place in India later this year.
A historic appointment for Saleema Imtiaz
One of the most noteworthy inclusions in the panel is Saleema Imtiaz, who made history last year by becoming the first Pakistan woman to join an ICC panel of umpires. She was officially nominated to the ICC International Panel of Development Umpires, a groundbreaking achievement that highlights her remarkable journey in the field of umpiring. Saleema, the mother of Pakistan women’s all-rounder Kainat Imtiaz, expressed her gratitude and hopes for the future, stating, “This isn’t just a win for me, it’s a win for every aspiring female cricketer and umpire in Pakistan. I hope my success motivates countless women who dream of making their mark in the sport,” Saleema was quoted
Sarah Dambanevana’s trailblazing journey
Another distinguished name on the panel is Sarah Dambanevana from Zimbabwe, who has already left a lasting impact in the world of cricket officiating. She became the first female Zimbabwean umpire to officiate in a Cricket World Cup final during the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. Furthermore, she broke new ground as the first female umpire to stand in a Zimbabwean domestic men’s fixture, setting a precedent for female officials in her country and beyond.
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Bangladesh represented by two umpires
Bangladesh also have two officials on the panel, with Masudur Rahman Mukul and Shatira Jakir Jesy receiving ICC appointments. Rahman Mukul has built a solid reputation as a regular official at ICC events, having officiated in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cups in both 2020 and 2024. Meanwhile, Jakir Jesy, a former international cricketer for Bangladesh, will be making her umpiring debut in this prestigious tournament. Her transition from a player to an official is a testament to the increasing opportunities for women in the sport.
The inclusion of Donovan Koch and other prominent umpires
Donovan Koch, an Australian umpire who was initially inspired by elite umpire Richard Kettleborough during his playing stint in England, is another key inclusion in the panel. His vast experience and knowledge of the game will be an asset to the tournament. The panel is further strengthened by the presence of experienced officials such as Babs Gcuma from South Africa, Candace La Borde from the West Indies, Dedunu de Silva from Sri Lanka, and New Zealand’s Shaun Haig, all of whom have officiated in multiple ICC tournaments over the years.
Match referees and umpiring panel for ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 qualifier
- The appointed match referees are: Ali Naqvi (Pakistan), Shandre Fritz (South Africa), Trudy Anderson (New Zealand)
- The 10-member umpiring panel includes: Faisal Khan Afridi (Pakistan) Saleema Imtiaz (Pakistan) Sarah Dambanevana (Zimbabwe) Masudur Rahman Mukul (Bangladesh) Shatira Jakir Jesy (Bangladesh) Donovan Koch (Australia) Babs Gcuma (South Africa) Candace La Borde (West Indies) Dedunu de Silva (Sri Lanka) Shaun Haig (New Zealand)
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
