Dhaka: The International Cricket Council (ICC) named Bangladesh's Shathira Jakir Jessy as one of the umpires among 20 match officials to stand in the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup in Malaysia. Jessy was the first female umpire appointed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board and most recently officiated at the 2024 Women's T20 Asia Cup, having previously represented her country as a bowler.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, "Trailblazing Bangladeshi umpire Shathira Jakir Jessy is among 20 match officials appointed to stand in the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup in Malaysia," the ICC said in a press release. Jessy is joined by Candace La Borde and Dedunu De Silva, who were both part of the match officials team for the inaugural tournament final that saw India clinch the trophy.
South Africa's Kerrin Klaaste, 26, has also been selected to umpire at the tournament for a second time. India's pioneering officials, Narayanan Janani and Gayathri Venugopalan, are among those appointed to the tournament for the first time. They became the first women to stand as on-field umpires in a men's domestic fixture in India, along with Vrinda Rathi. Additionally, Shivani Mishra, also part of the line-up, became the first female on-field umpire to officiate in a men's T20I in January 2019.
ICC Senior Manager - Umpires and Referees, Sean Easey, highlighted the diversity of the officials appointed as he looked ahead to the tournament that gets underway on January 18, with 14 nations represented including Qatar, Ireland, the USA, and Oman. "Congratulations to the umpires and match referees who have been selected for this event," he said. "These individuals have earned selection by performing well in bilateral cricket. It is a wonderfully diverse group, just like the game that they represent."
David Gilbert, Dean Cosker, Reon King, and Trudy Anderson have been appointed as match referees. The match officials for the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2025 include umpires such as Ashlee Gibbons (Australia), Shathira Jakir Jessy (Bangladesh), Gayathri Venugopalan (India), and others from various countries, ensuring a global representation in officiating.