Paul Reiffel and Richard Illingworth, both members of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, have been appointed as the on-field umpires for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand to be played in Dubai on Sunday.

Both stood in the semi-finals, with Illingworth in the middle for India’s four-wicket win over Australia and Reiffel overseeing the Black Caps’ 50-run victory over South Africa the following day.

Four-time ICC Umpire of the Year Illingworth also stood in the final of the most recent ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023, as well as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, and took charge of the Group A match between the two finalists, which India won by 44 runs.

The pair will be joined by Joel Wilson as third umpire and Kumar Dharmasena as fourth umpire.

Both Emirates ICC Elite Panel umpires were part of the officiating team in the second semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa, with Dharmasena on-field, alongside Reiffel, and Wilson stationed as the third umpire.

The Trinidadian will reprise that role for the showpiece, having done likewise in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final. Ranjan Madugalle, the most experienced member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, will oversee the match.

India v New Zealand – ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 final – Match Officials

On-field Umpires: Paul Reiffel and Richard Illingworth

Third Umpire: Joel Wilson

Fourth Umpire: Kumar Dharmasena

Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle

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Imam-ul-Haq approved as replacement for Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan squad

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad.

Twenty-nine-year-old Imam, who has played 72 ODIs, was named as a replacement after Fakhar was ruled out due to an oblique injury.

The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad.

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 consists of Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager – Cricket), Sarah Edgar (ICC Senior Manager – Events), Usman Wahla (PCB Director – International Cricket Operations), Shaun Pollock (Independent Representative).

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DUBAI – The return of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy for the first time since 2017 will see the winners of the eight-team tournament earn US$2.24 million, as well as the trophy they will lift on 9 March.

The runners-up will receive $1.12 million, while the losing semi-finalists walk away with $560,000 each, from the total prize pot of $6.9 million, a 53% increase from the 2017 edition.

Every match counts at the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy and each group match win is worth more than $34,000 to the victorious team. Teams that finished fifth or sixth will each earn $350,000 while the seventh and eighth-placed sides take home $140,000.

In addition, all eight teams are assured of $125,000 each for competing in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

The first global cricket tournament to be hosted in Pakistan since 1996 promises to be a thrilling two-week competition, with matches played in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

The format of this year’s tournament sees the eight teams divided into two groups of four, with the top two teams in each group progressing to the semi-finals.

The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy will take place every four years with the world’s top eight ODI teams, with the Women’s Champions Trophy launching in 2027 in a T20 format.

ICC Chair Jay Shah said, “The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 represents a pivotal moment for cricket, reviving a tournament that highlights the pinnacle of ODI talent, where every match is critical.

The substantial prize pot underscores the ICC’s ongoing commitment to investing in the sport and maintaining the global prestige of our events.

Beyond the financial incentive, this tournament ignites fierce competition, captivates fans worldwide, and plays a vital role in fostering the growth and long-term sustainability of cricket for future generations.”

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ICC team visits Gaddafi Stadium, reviews preparations for CT 2025

The International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation visited Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium to review preparations for the Champions Trophy.

The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. The ICC delegation comprising officials, broadcasters, and logistics personnel, conducted a thorough review of the venue s facilities, including media boxes, dressing rooms, and enclosures.

During the visit, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) International Cricket director Usman Wahla apprised the delegation of the ongoing changes to the stadium.

It is expected that stadium upgradation will be completed by this month. As per reports, four matches of the upcoming tournament will be played in Gaddafi Stadium.

The matches under the Champions Trophy 2025 will be held across three venues in Pakistan and Dubai, playing eight teams in two groups. The event will commence on February 19 in Karachi, with Pakistan facing New Zealand.

The delegation from the ICC also visited National Bank Stadium in Karachi to inspect the preparations for the Champions Trophy 2025.

The six-member delegation thoroughly reviewed the venue’s preparedness for the upcoming tournament. The purpose of the visit is to ensure that all necessary facilities are in place ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Wahla briefed the participants on ongoing development works at the stadium. It merits mention that the deadline for completing the upgrades at the National Bank Stadium is January 25.

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