The ICC on Thursday announced a 13-member panel of umpires and referees for the upcoming ICC women’s World Cup Qualifiers. The tournament will be played from April 9-19 in Pakistan.
Who’s in the 13-member panel for the women’s World Cup qualifiers?
The 13-member ICC officials panel, which will host the women’s World Cup qualifiers, will include 10 umpires and 3 referees. The host nation, Pakistan, will have 2 umpires in the form of Faisal Khan Afridi and Saleema Imtiaz. The panel would also have 2 umpires from Bangladesh, one from each of Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Zimbabwe. The 3 referees include one each from Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Here is the complete list of the Umpires and referees.
Umpires: Babs Gcuma (South Africa), Candace la Borde (West Indies), Dedunu de Silva (Sri Lanka), Donovan Koch (Australia), Faisal Khan Afridi (Pakistan), Masudur Rahman Mukul (Bangladesh), Saleema Imtiaz (Pakistan), Sarah Dambanevana (Zimbabwe), Shathira Jakir Jesy (Bangladesh), Shaun Haig (New Zealand).
Referees: Ali Naqvi (Pakistan), Shandre Fritz (South Africa), Trudy Anderson (New Zealand).
ICC manager for Umpires shows his confidence in the umpiring panel.
The ICC senior manager for Umpires and referees showed his confidence in the umpiring panel. He emphasized that this tournament will help these emerging match officials to show their credentials in an ICC tournament. He also emphasised on the importance of this tournament as this is the last chance for teams to qualify for next year’s 50 over world cup in India. This tournament will also present an opportunity for Pakistan’s Saleema Imtiaz to officiate in an ICC tournament. Saleema last year became the first woman umpire from Pakistan to be included in ICC’s international development panel and so far has officiated bilateral and Asia cup matches but this will be her first time officiating an ICC tournament.
Squads of the participating teams in the women’s World Cup qualifiers.
All 6 teams that will play in the tournament have announced their squads. Let’s look at all the squads.
Bangladesh
Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter, Ishma Tanjim, Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Jannatul Ferdus Sumona, Rabeya, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Islam Trisna, Farzana Haque, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Marufa Akter, Ritu Moni
Ireland
Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Kia McCartney, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast (vice-captain)
Pakistan
Fatima Sana (c), Najiha Alvi, Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Omaima Sohail, Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sundhu, Muneeba Ali, Rameen Shamim, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Syeda Aroob Shah, Natalia Parvaiz, Sidra Nawaz.
Also read: Pakistan Cricket Board Announces First-Ever Domestic Contracts for Women Cricketers
Scotland
Kathryn Bryce (c), Chloe Abel, Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Sarah Bryce (wk), Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser, Ailsa Lister (wk), Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Hannah Rainey, Nayma Sheikh, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul, Ellen Watson (wk)
Thailand
Naruemol Chaiwai (c), Sunida Chaturongrattana, Nannapat Khoncharoenkai, Suleeporn Laomi, Suwanan Khiaoto, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Natthakan Chantham, Nannaphat Chaihan, Chanida Sutthiruang, Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, Nattaya Boochatham, Chayanisa Phengpaen, Phannita Maya, Rosenanee Kanoh, Thipatcha Putthawong
West Indies
Hayley Matthews (c), Shemaine Campbelle, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams.
Venues and Tournament format.
The women’s World Cup qualifiers will be played in a Round Robin format, with each team facing the other once, with the top two securing their place for next year’s Women’s World Cup to be held in India. All the matches will be played at 2 venues in Lahore that being the Iconic Gaddafi Stadium and the LCCA stadium.
