Lahore: Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle, a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, has been appointed to lead the playing control teams for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship fixtures between Pakistan and Bangladesh. The matches are set to take place in Rawalpindi and Karachi, marking significant games in the 2023-25 championship cycle.

According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the first Test will be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 21 to 25 August, while the second will occur at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi from 30 August to 3 September. These games are pivotal for both teams in their pursuit of championship points.

The officiating team for the series will include three umpires from the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and two from the ICC International Panel of Umpires. For the Rawalpindi Test, England’s Richard Kettleborough and South Africa’s Adrian Holdstock will serve as on-field umpires, with England’s Michael Gough as the third umpire. Pakistan’s Rashid Riaz will fulfill the role of the fourth umpire.

In Karachi, the duties will shift slightly, with Michael Gough and Adrian Holdstock again taking the on-field roles, Richard Kettleborough stepping in as the third umpire, and Pakistan’s Asif Yaqoob acting as the fourth umpire.

These appointments reflect the ICC’s commitment to maintaining a high standard of officiating by leveraging the expertise of its elite panels. The series promises to be a crucial contest for both teams, with match officials prepared to ensure fair play and uphold the integrity of the game.