The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has confirmed the match officials for the group stage of the DP World Asia Cup 2025, which gets underway on Tuesday, September 9, with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong China at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Veteran match referees Richie Richardson and Andy Pycroft will oversee the 12-match group stage, which runs from September 9 to 19. The appointments for the Super Four stage and the final, scheduled for September 28 in Dubai, will be announced later.
Umpires Named for Asia Cup 2025
The officiating panel features experienced names from across the region, including:
- Ahmad Pakteen (Afghanistan)
- Asif Yaqoob (Pakistan)
- Faisal Afridi (Pakistan)
- Gazi Sohel (Bangladesh)
- Izatullah Safi (Afghanistan)
- Masudur Rahman (Bangladesh)
- Raveendra Wimalasiri (Sri Lanka)
- Rohan Pandit (India)
- Ruchira Palliyaguruge (Sri Lanka)
- Virender Sharma (India)
The eight-team tournament begins with Afghanistan vs Hong Kong China on September 9, while hosts UAE face India the following day in Dubai. Pakistan’s much-anticipated campaign opener against Oman will be played on September 12, followed by the blockbuster India vs Pakistan clash on September 14.
If both teams qualify, fans could see another India-Pakistan showdown in the Super Four on September 21, ahead of the title decider on September 28.
Asia Cup 2025 – Group Stage Match Officials
Tuesday, 9 September – Afghanistan vs Hong Kong China, Abu Dhabi (6:30 PM)
- On-field umpires: Asif Yaqoob, Virender Sharma
- TV umpire: Faisal Afridi
- Fourth umpire: Raveendra Wimalasiri
- Match referee: Richie Richardson
Wednesday, 10 September – India vs UAE, Dubai (6:30 PM)
- On-field umpires: Gazi Sohel, Izatullah Safi
- TV umpire: Ruchira Palliyaguruge
- Fourth umpire: Masudur Rahman
- Match referee: Andy Pycroft
Thursday, 11 September – Bangladesh vs Hong Kong China, Abu Dhabi (6:30 PM)
- On-field umpires: Raveendra Wimalasiri, Rohan Pandit
- TV umpire: Asif Yaqoob
- Fourth umpire: Faisal Afridi
- Match referee: Richie Richardson
Friday, 12 September – Pakistan vs Oman, Dubai (6:30 PM)
- On-field umpires: Masudur Rahman, Ahmad Pakteen
- TV umpire: Gazi Sohel
- Fourth umpire: Ruchira Palliyaguruge
- Match referee: Andy Pycroft
Saturday, 13 September – Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi (6:30 PM)
- On-field umpires: Rohan Pandit, Faisal Afridi
- TV umpire: Virender Sharma
- Fourth umpire: Asif Yaqoob
- Match referee: Richie Richardson
Sunday, 14 September – India vs Pakistan, Dubai (6:30 PM)
- On-field umpires: Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Masudur Rahman
- TV umpire: Ahmad Pakteen
- Fourth umpire: Izatullah Safi
- Match referee: Andy Pycroft
Monday, 15 September – UAE vs Oman, Abu Dhabi (4:00 PM)
- On-field umpires: Virender Sharma, Asif Yaqoob
- TV umpire: Raveendra Wimalasiri
- Fourth umpire: Rohan Pandit
- Match referee: Richie Richardson
Monday, 15 September – Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong China, Dubai (6:30 PM)
- On-field umpires: Gazi Sohel, Izatullah Safi
- TV umpire: Masudur Rahman
- Fourth umpire: Ahmad Pakteen
- Match referee: Andy Pycroft
Tuesday, 16 September – Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi (6:30 PM)
- On-field umpires: Faisal Afridi, Raveendra Wimalasiri
- TV umpire: Rohan Pandit
- Fourth umpire: Virender Sharma
- Match referee: Richie Richardson
Wednesday, 17 September – Pakistan vs UAE, Dubai (6:30 PM)
- On-field umpires: Ahmad Pakteen, Ruchira Palliyaguruge
- TV umpire: Izatullah Safi
- Fourth umpire: Gazi Sohel
- Match referee: Andy Pycroft
Thursday, 18 September – Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi (6:30 PM)
- On-field umpires: Asif Yaqoob, Virender Sharma
- TV umpire: Faisal Afridi
- Fourth umpire: Rohan Pandit
- Match referee: Richie Richardson
Friday, 19 September – India vs Oman, Abu Dhabi (6:30 PM)
- On-field umpires: Raveendra Wimalasiri, Faisal Afridi
- TV umpire: Asif Yaqoob
- Fourth umpire: Virender Sharma
- Match referee: Richie Richardson
Why the Officials Matter
Neutral and experienced officials have often been at the center of high-stakes Asia Cup encounters, particularly India vs Pakistan fixtures, where every decision is scrutinized. With referees like Richardson and Pycroft leading the panel, the ACC aims to ensure a smooth and controversy-free tournament.
