The ICC Under 19 Men Cricket World Cup 2026 Semi Finals have confirmed the match officials, with experienced, neutral umpires and referees appointed to the two semi-finals of the tournament. Australia will play England in Bulawayo on February 3, and India will play Afghanistan in Harare on February 4, with officials from Emirates ICC International Panels, some of whom have already refereed important matches in the tournament.
ICC Names Key Match Officials Ahead of U19 World Cup Semi-Finals
With the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 in the thrilling phase, the International Cricket Council has officially released the lists of match officials of the two much-awaited semi-finals. Having four teams only a step to the final, the ICC has made sure that there will be experienced and neutral referees who will preside over the knock out matches in Zimbabwe.
The semi-finals will be held in Bulawayo and Harare on February 3 and February 4, respectively. Australia will play England in the first semi-final, and India will play Afghanistan the second. The pressure is always the highest, and the umpires, as well as referees, are as significant as the players on the field.
The ICC has chosen officials from its Emirates International Panels of Umpires and Referees, reflecting its emphasis on fairness, consistency, and the smooth operation of matches in the final stages of the tournament.
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Australia vs England Semi-Final Set for Bulawayo
| Match Detail | Information |
| Semi Final 1 | Australia vs England |
| Date | February 3, 2026 |
| Venue | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo |
| On Field Umpires | Zahid Bassarath, Virender Sharma |
| Third Umpire | Lubabalo Gcuma |
| Fourth Umpire | Prageeth Rambukwella |
| Match Referee | Prakash Bhatt |
The Queen Sports Club, Bulawayo, will host the first semi-final between England and Australia on Tuesday. The two teams have had impressive unbeaten streaks so far, making this encounter one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. Australia has been unbeaten throughout the tournament, registering solid victories over such sides as West Indies, South Africa, and Ireland to make it into the semi-finals. England also won back-to-back matches, with a comfortable victory over New Zealand, as well as previous wins over Pakistan to earn them a semi-final place.
Zahid Bassarath and Virender Sharma are the on-field umpires appointed to the match. The two officials are not new to the tournament, and they have already refereed some of the important games. Bassarath was recently in England when England beat New Zealand, and Sharma has also umpired Australia’s victories over Japan and Sri Lanka. Their perception of the conditions and the tempo of the match is likely to be crucial in controlling the intense contest.
Lubabalo Gcuma will serve as the third umpire and assist with television replays and close calls. The fourth umpire is Prageeth Rambukwella, who will assist the on-field officials during the game. Referee Prakash Bhatt will oversee the conduct of the match and ensure that ICC playing conditions and disciplinary standards are upheld.
India vs Afghanistan Clash to Light Up Harare
| Match Detail | Information |
| Semi Final 2 | India vs Afghanistan |
| Date | February 4, 2026 |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club, Harare |
| On Field Umpires | Shaun Haig, Russell Warren |
| Third Umpire | Shawn Craig |
| Fourth Umpire | Masudur Mukul |
| Match Referee | Graeme La Brooy |
India and Afghanistan will play the second semi–final on Wednesday at the Harare Sports Club. Each team has impressed with its ability and calmness, and this match is set to be another tense battle. India had already impressed in their previous match against Pakistan, recording a decisive victory which enabled them to reach the semi-finals. In the meantime, Afghanistan had delivered solid victories against other teams such as the West Indies and Ireland to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
Shaun Haig and Russell Warren are the on-field umpires in this encounter. Haig has already presided over Afghanistan matches when they are performing well in the group stage, and Warren has been part of the matches when India has won decisively against the USA and Bangladesh. They are perfectly prepared to take a high-pressure knockout match with their composure and experience in youth international cricket.
The third umpire will be Shawn Craig, who will aid in making critical decisions based on replays. Masudur Mukul will be the fourth umpire, and Graeme La Brooy is appointed the match referee. His duty will involve facilitating fair play, controlling player conduct, and addressing any issues that arise during the match.
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