The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the panels of umpires and referees for the two semi-finals at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 on Monday.
Australia and England, both unbeaten in the competition, will face each other on Tuesday. Zahid Bassarath and Virender Sharma will serve as the on-field umpires for this match.
Bassarath officiated England’s recent win over New Zealand, while Sharma managed Australia’s victories against Japan and Sri Lanka.
Lubabalo Gcuma will be the third umpire, with Prageeth Rambukwella as the fourth umpire. Prakash Bhatt will act as the match referee.
For the second semi-final between India and Afghanistan in Harare on February 4, Shaun Haig and Russell Warren will be the on-field umpires.
Haig supervised
Afghanistan’s group stage wins over South Africa and the West Indies, while Warren officiated India’s victories against the USA and Bangladesh.
Shawn Craig will serve as the third umpire, with Masudur Mukul as the fourth umpire. Graeme La Brooy is the match referee.
Semi-Final 1: Bulawayo, February 3
Australia v England
- On-field Umpires: Zahid Bassarath & Virender Sharma
- Third Umpire: Lubabalo Gcuma
- Fourth Umpire: Prageeth Rambukwella
- Match Referee: Prakash Bhatt
Semi-Final 2: Harare, February 4
India v Afghanistan
- On-field Umpires: Shaun Haig & Russell Warren
- Third Umpire: Shawn Craig
- Fourth Umpire: Masudur Mukul
- Match Referee: Graeme La Brooy
ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup – Road To Semi-Finals
Australia
Australia’s team may be even more complete than the one that won the tournament two years ago. Their last Super Six match saw them overcome some adversity against the West Indies, yet they performed exceptionally well and have been nearly flawless since arriving in southern Africa. They’ve mostly played in Namibia, with only a recent game in Zimbabwe against the Windies. Acclimatisation remains the only minor concern.
England
England, like Australia and India, remains unbeaten in the tournament. Their five victories have been comfortable, with standout performances from both batters and bowlers. They began their campaign with a 36-run win over Pakistan and secured their semi-final spot by defeating New Zealand by 65 runs. Ben Mayes leads the tournament with 375 runs, averaging 93.75, while bowler Manny Lumsden is the top wicket-taker with 13.
India
India has proven to be a strong contender. Their first three games were DLS-impacted wins, but their last two against Zimbabwe and Pakistan were particularly impressive. Their balanced performance in both batting and bowling means any player can emerge as a match-winner at any time.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan continues to rise as a cricketing force, showcasing new talent. Their campaign includes a 28-run win over South Africa and a dominant 138-run victory against the West Indies. Despite an unexpected loss to Sri Lanka, they bounced back with a 191-run win over Ireland, securing their place in the knockout stage.
(With inputs from Agencies)
/images/ppid_a911dc6a-image-177041203643129971.webp)
