Zimbabwe will have strong representation among the match officials at the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with both a leading umpire and a veteran match referee selected for the global showpiece.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the appointments for the group stage of the tournament, which is scheduled to begin on February 7.
Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the event will see 24 umpires and six match referees oversee the initial phase of the competition.
Leading Zimbabwean umpire Langton Rusere is among the 24 officials chosen to take charge of the group-stage fixtures. Rusere has steadily built a respected profile on the international circuit, and his selection is another milestone for Zimbabwean officiating.
His inclusion follows his involvement in previous high-profile ICC events, reinforcing his status as one of the top umpires in the game today.
Joining him is former Zimbabwe national captain Andy Pycroft, who has been named in the elite six-member panel of match referees. Pycroft, who played three Tests and 20 One Day Internationals for Zimbabwe between 1983 and 1992, has transitioned into a highly regarded official. His vast experience will be vital in managing the high-pressure environment of a World Cup co-hosted by two cricket-mad nations.
The tournament will open with Pakistan taking on the Netherlands in Colombo, with Kumar Dharmasena and Wayne Knights serving as the on-field umpires. Other notable fixtures include the high-stakes clash between India and Pakistan on February 15, which will be officiated by Richard Illingworth and Dharmasena.
Veteran Australian umpire Rod Tucker is also set to make history during the tournament. Currently sitting on 46 T20 World Cup matches, he is expected to reach the landmark of 50 matches during the group stages.
Their inclusion ensures Zimbabwe’s presence at the tournament goes beyond the players on the field, highlighting the country’s continued contribution to the global game through administrative and technical expertise.
Match officials at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Match referees:
Dean Cosker, David Gilbert, Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft, Richie Richardson, Javagal Srinath.
Umpires:
Roland Black, Chris Brown, Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Wayne Knights, Donovan Koch, Jayaraman Madanagopal, Nitin Menon, Sam Nogajski, KNA Padmanabhan, Allahuddien Paleker, Ahsan Raza, Leslie Reifer, Paul Reiffel, Langton Rusere, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, Gazi Sohel, Rod Tucker, Alex Wharf, Raveendra Wimalasiri, Asif Yaqoob.