Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat is set to become the first Bangladeshi umpire to officiate at an ICC Men's T20 World Cup. He will take charge of the tournament opener between the USA and Canada.
Saikat, a 47-year-old, officiated at five matches during last year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. He has also been on the panel for two ICC Women's Cricket World Cups and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2018.
The pioneering official will be joined in the middle on the opening night by Richard Illingworth. Illingworth won the David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year for the third time in 2023 and officiated at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Final between India and Australia last year.
