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PCB unveils star-studded match officials panel for South Africa series

Poulomi Chakraborty

PCB announces match officials for SA series (Source: @CallMeSheri1_/x.com)PCB announces match officials for SA series (Source: @CallMeSheri1_/x.com)

After their Asia Cup 2025 heartbreak, Pakistan is gearing up for a powerful comeback as they head to a high-stakes series against South Africa for. As they are scheduled to play two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is, the cricket world is looking for some unmissable action.

The much-anticipated series will begin with the first Test on October 12, and the Pakistan Cricket Board has unveiled a star-studded panel of match officials. In the presence of some veteran match officials, the Men in Green are aiming for a stellar outing on home soil.

Ace match officials set to oversee high-voltage Test series

After a long time, Pakistan is coming back in the longest format, and the excitement is doubled for the Pakistani fans as some thrilling red ball excitement is loading on home soil. Starting on October 12, the first Test match between Pakistan and South Africa will take place in Lahore. Ahead of stepping into the high-voltage showdown, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a star-studded match official panel for the series.

Veteran Australian umpire Rodney Tucker will serve as an on-field umpire in the first Test, and New Zealand’s Christopher Brown will join him on the field. Along with them, Bangladesh’s Saikat Sharfuddoula will take the role of the third umpire, and Faisal Khan Afridi from Pakistan will serve as the fourth umpire.

Set to begin on October 20, the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa will witness a shuffle in the match officials’ lineup. As Brown will stick to his on-field umpiring role, Sharfuddoula will join him on the field. Tucker will be moved to the third umpire’s role, and Rashid Riaz will join the panel as the fourth umpire.

Some fresh faces to officiate the white-ball series

After wrapping up the Test series, both sides will face each other in a thrilling T20I series, which will also introduce a new set of match officials. As the first T20I clash is all set to be staged on October 28, Muhammad Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz will serve as the on-field umpires, and Faisal Khan Afridi and Tariq Rasheed will serve as the third and fourth umpires.

For the third T20I, Rashid Riaz and Faisal Khan Afridi will take charge on the field, bringing their sharp eyes to the contest. While Tariq Rasheed will continue as the fourth umpire, Muhammad Asif Yaqoob will play the role of the third umpire.

As the ODI series has been scheduled from November 4, Saikat Sharfuddoula and Asif Yaqoob will play the role as on-field umpires, and Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz will serve as third and fourth umpires.

In the second game, Alex Wharf and Ahsan Raza will replace Saikat Sharfuddoula and Asif Yaqoob in the on-field umpire’s role. Sharfuddoula and Rashid Riaz will serve as third and fourth umpires.

As the third ODI is set to take place on November 8, Sharfuddoula will continue playing his role, and Faisal Khan Afridi will join him in the on-field duty. Adding to this, England’s Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz will play the third and fourth umpire’s roles. Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle will serve as the match referee for both the Test and the white ball series.

With the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle underway, Pakistan and South Africa are ready to embark on their campaigns. Being the champion of the last WTC cycle, the Proteas will try to continue their glory, and the Men in Green will try to start the new journey on a positive note.