Shathira Jakir Jessy to officiate at women’s U19 T20 world cup
As the first female umpire appointed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board,Jessy has recently officiated at the 2024 Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Before transitioning to umpiring, she represented Bangladesh as a bowler.
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.
As the first female umpire appointed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Shathira has recently officiated at the 2024 Women's T20 Asia Cup. Before transitioning to umpiring, she represented Bangladesh as a bowler.
Joining her are Candace La Borde and Dedunu De Silva, both of whom officiated the final of the inaugural tournament, where India claimed the trophy.
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South African umpire Kerrin Klaaste, aged 26, has been selected for her second stint at this tournament, while India's Narayanan Janani and Gayathri Venugopalan are making their debuts. The pair made history in India as the first women to umpire men's domestic matches, alongside Vrinda Rathi.
Another notable inclusion is Shivani Mishra, who in January 2019 became the first female umpire to officiate in a men's T20 International.
Sean Easey, ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees, praised the diversity of the officials, representing 14 nations including Qatar, Ireland, the USA, and Oman, as the tournament kicks off on 18 January.
"Congratulations to the umpires and match referees who have been selected to 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.
"Similar to the players at this event, these officials have been identified as having high potential. We are confident that they will perform well and that some will progress to officiate at the higher levels of the game."
David Gilbert, Dean Cosker, Reon King, and Trudy Anderson have been named as match referees.
Match Officials for ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2025
Umpires:
Ashlee Gibbons (Australia), Shathira Jakir Jessy (Bangladesh), Gayathri Venugopalan (India), Narayanan Janani (India), Aidan Seaver (Ireland), Nitin Bathi (Netherlands), Rizwan Akram (Netherlands), Rahul Asher (Oman), Saleema Imtiaz (Pakistan), Shivani Mishra (Qatar), Kerrin Klaaste (South Africa), Dedunu De Silva (Sri Lanka), Vijaya Prakash Mallela (USA), Candace La Borde (West Indies), Maria Abbott (West Indies), Forster Mutizwa (Zimbabwe).
Match referees:
David Gilbert (Australia), Dean Cosker (England), Trudy Anderson (New Zealand), Reon King (West Indies).
