PCB 2025–26 match officials Pakistan Cricket Board Announces Match Officials Panels for 2025–26 Season
LAHORE — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially unveiled its Match Officials Panel for the 2025–26 cricket season, highlighting a carefully structured hierarchy of umpires and referees designed to maintain the highest standards of officiating across domestic and international cricket hosted in Pakistan. The announcement reflects PCB’s ongoing commitment to professionalism, talent development, and inclusivity within the sport.
PCB 2025–26 match officials International Panel: Experience at the Forefront
The PCB International Panel will feature some of the nation’s most seasoned officials. At the helm as match referee is Ali Naqvi, an experienced administrator with years of overseeing international fixtures. The umpiring roster includes Asif Yaqoob, Faisal Afridi, Rashid Riaz, and Salima Imtiaz, all of whom bring a wealth of experience and credibility to the international stage.
These officials are entrusted with managing high-profile domestic tournaments as well as international fixtures played in Pakistan, ensuring that matches adhere to global cricketing standards. Their decisions, accuracy, and professionalism will be crucial in maintaining the integrity of the game, especially as Pakistan continues to host major ICC events and bilateral series.
Elite Panel: Maintaining Standards of Excellence
The PCB Elite Panel of Match Officials comprises 18 umpires and 10 match referees, selected for their consistent performances and decision-making capabilities. Members of this panel have demonstrated a high level of competency in domestic competitions and are considered role models for aspiring officials.
Regular assessments, refresher training, and performance reviews will be conducted to ensure that Elite Panel members remain up to date with rule changes, technological advancements such as DRS and Hawk-Eye, and conduct guidelines set forth by the ICC.
This panel forms the backbone of Pakistan cricket officiating, bridging the gap between emerging talent and international-level standards, and playing a vital role in fostering professionalism and fairness across all levels of competition.
Supplementary Panel: Grooming Future Talent
To ensure continuity in officiating quality, the PCB has established a Supplementary Panel, divided into two categories for structured monitoring:
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Supplementary Panel I: Includes 14 umpires.
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Supplementary Panel II: Comprises 24 umpires.
Additionally, 10 match referees have been appointed to the Supplementary Panel of Match Referees.
The Supplementary Panel serves as a development platform, where officials are closely observed, mentored, and trained to eventually progress to the Elite or International Panels. This structured approach ensures that Pakistan maintains a pipeline of competent officials ready to step into higher responsibilities when required.
Emerging Panel: Identifying New Talent
The PCB Emerging Panel is an initiative aimed at discovering and nurturing promising young umpires from across Pakistan. The panel includes 40 umpires representing different regions of the country.
Through this program, officials receive intensive training, exposure to domestic matches, and regular evaluations. The Emerging Panel is designed to cultivate the next generation of elite match officials, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to perform at the highest levels.
This long-term vision underscores PCB’s commitment to sustaining a robust officiating ecosystem capable of supporting Pakistan cricket’s growing domestic and international engagements.
Promoting Gender Diversity
A significant highlight of the 2025–26 announcement is the inclusion of 13 female umpires, including Salima Imtiaz, in the officiating panels. This marks a progressive step toward promoting gender diversity and inclusivity within cricket, creating opportunities for women to play a pivotal role in officiating.
The move aligns with global trends in sports governance, where female participation is increasingly encouraged in traditionally male-dominated roles. PCB has also emphasized providing female officials with access to training, mentorship, and exposure to high-profile matches to develop their careers on par with male counterparts.
Training, Assessments, and Technological Integration
To ensure consistency across panels, PCB has outlined a comprehensive program for training and evaluation. Officials will participate in:
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Regular Assessments: Performance reviews for decision-making accuracy and game management.
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Refresher Courses: Updates on new laws, playing conditions, and international standards.
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Workshops: Training on technological tools like DRS, video analysis, and communication protocols.
By integrating modern technology and structured learning, PCB aims to improve decision-making efficiency, reduce errors, and maintain transparency in officiating — a critical factor for sustaining public trust and confidence in domestic cricket competitions.
Strengthening Domestic Officiating Framework
The formation of these panels represents a broader strategic effort by PCB to strengthen the domestic cricket officiating framework. By clearly defining the hierarchy, responsibilities, and training pathways, PCB ensures a seamless progression for officials from grassroots to elite levels.
This approach not only fosters accountability and professionalism but also helps manage the increasing number of domestic and international fixtures hosted in Pakistan. As the country continues to position itself as a preferred venue for international cricket, having a competent pool of match officials becomes increasingly important.
Looking Ahead: Vision for Officiating Excellence
PCB’s 2025–26 Match Officials Panel reflects a forward-looking vision, balancing experience with emerging talent while promoting diversity and professional growth. By investing in training, mentorship, and technological integration, PCB aims to set new benchmarks for officiating standards in Pakistan.
Officials across all panels will play a crucial role in ensuring fairness, integrity, and accuracy, which are essential for the credibility of domestic competitions and Pakistan’s reputation in international cricket.
As Pakistan continues to host ICC events, bilateral series, and domestic tournaments, these panels are expected to enhance the quality of officiating, inspire the next generation of officials, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism in the sport.
