PCB Unveils Umpires and Match Referees Panels for 2025–26 Season

Lahore, October 27, 2025 — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the complete panels of umpires and match referees for the 2025–26 cricket season, highlighting its continued efforts to improve officiating standards across all levels of domestic and international cricket.

Top-Level Appointments

The ICC International Panel of Match Officials representing Pakistan includes:

Ali Naqvi – Match Referee

Asif Yaqoob, Faisal Khan Afridi, Rashid Riaz Waqar, and Saleema Imtiaz – Umpires

National Elite Panels

The National Elite Panel of Match Referees comprises 10 senior officials, while the National Elite Panel of Umpires includes 18 experienced names such as Abdul Moqeet, Ali Haider, Asif Yaqoob, and Farooq Ali Khan.

Supplementary & Emerging Panels

To strengthen the officiating pool, the PCB also named:

14 umpires in Supplementary Panel I

24 umpires in Supplementary Panel II

A 40-member Emerging Panel featuring rising officiating talent from across Pakistan

Women’s Umpire Panel

In a step toward inclusivity, the PCB unveiled a Women’s Umpires Panel of 13 officials from cities including Karachi, Kasur, Khairpur, Lahore, Multan, and Muzaffarabad.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Resumes Direct Flights: Islamabad to Manchester After Five-Year Hiatus

Significance of the Announcement

The new structure aims to:

Enhance the standard and credibility of officiating in Pakistan’s domestic circuit.

Provide a clear pathway for umpire development and promotions.

Encourage participation and recognition of women in cricket officiating.

PCB’s Vision

PCB stated that the comprehensive selection reflects its commitment to professionalism and transparency, ensuring top-quality officiating during key tournaments such as the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan Cup, and National T20 Championship.