The only representative of India in the ICC Elite referees panel, Nitin Menon, has chosen to not officiate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan this month for personal reasons. The CPI on Wednesday announced a list of 15 party officials, including three referees and 12 referees for the Marquesina Tournament, scheduled to start in Karachi on February 19 with the final on March 9.
The Australian legend David Boon, the great Great Ranjan Madugalle de Sri Lanka and Andrew Pycroft of Zimbabwe were appointed as arbitrators of the match for the tournament of eight teams.
The event will take place in three places in Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, while India will play all its games in Dubai, starting with a clash against Bangladesh on February 20, due to security concerns.
“The ICC wanted to put it (Menon) on the Champions Trophy list. But he decided not to travel to Pakistan for personal reasons,” a BCCI source told PTI.
Menon could not have been in the matches in Dubai, since the CPI follows the policy of appointing neutral referees. The world body did not comment on Menon in his statement to present the list of officials.
The three referees chosen for the tournament are experienced. Boon has appeared in the Champions Trophy 2017 final, while Madugalle returns after officiating the 2013 final. Pycroft also appeared in the 2017 tournament.
“A distinguished panel of 12 referees will officiate the eight -team event, with six officials returning from the 2017 edition, including Richard Kettleborough, who met in the final of the previous champions trophy in the United Kingdom,” said the ICC in A Kettleboroughleough launch, a 108 Odi veteran, will join other Chris Gaffaney, Kumar Dharmasena, Richard Illingworth, Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker, who also officiated in the 2017 tournament.
“Dharmasena will extend his period of officiating 132 Odi in the next tournament, a record for a arbiter of Sri Lanka in the one day format.” Kettleborough and Illingworth, who joined during the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, will join Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Ahsan Raza, Sharfuddaula Ibne Shahid, Alex Wharf and Joel Wilson. They all officiated in the Indian World Cup.
The senior ICC manager (referees and referees), Sean Faciley, said the extensive experience of party officials will provide high quality games.
“We always strive to appoint the most deserving officials for such prestigious events, and we are sure that this group will do an outstanding job in both Pakistan and the EAU. We wish you all the best for a memorable tournament,” he said.
Party officials: Referees: Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Ahsan Raza, Paul Reiffel, Sharfuddau Ibne Shahid, Rodney Tucker, Alex Wharf, Joel Wilson.
Party referees: David Boon, Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft.
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