 "India and England will play each other in a T20 World Cup for the third straight time. AFP")
The T20 World Cup 2026 enters its final phase with the knockouts starting Wednesday, March 4. The group stage and Super 8s are done and now the semifinal and the title clash remain.
T20 World Cup 2026: News | Schedule | Results | Points Table
The semifinals take place in Kolkata and Mumbai on March 4 and March 5 with the clash for the trophy scheduled for Sunday, March 8. For the two semifinals, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the list of match officials who will be on duty.
South Africa are the only among the last four teams to remain unbeaten throughout the tournament. India lost in the Super 8 stage while England lost once in the group stage. New Zealand, the fourth team in fray, has lost once each in Super 8s and the first round.
ICC unveils list of umpires announced
South Africa will take on New Zealand in the first semifinal on Wednesday where Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf will be officiating on the field. India’s Nitin Menon will assume to duties of third umpire. Rod Tucker will be the fourth umpire while India’s Javagal Srinath will take up the role of referee.
Illingworth was also among the on-field umpires for South Africa’s T20 World Cup semi-final two years ago against Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Wharf also officiated in New Zealand’s win over the same opposition in the 2026 group stage.
For India’s semifinal against England in Mumbai, Chris Gaffaney and Allahuddien Paleker will stand in-charge as the on-field umpires.
Gaffaney also oversaw the proceedings when the two teams met at the same stage in the 2024 edition of the tournament. Paleker on the other hand, officiated two of England’s matches in the ongoing tournament as well as India’s victory over the Netherlands.
Quick Reads
View AllSemi-Final 1: South Africa v New Zealand Officials
On-Field Umpires: Richard Illingworth & Alex Wharf
Third Umpire: Nitin Menon
Fourth Umpire: Rod Tucker
Match Referee: Javagal Srinath
Semi-Final 2: India v England Officials
On-Field Umpires: Chris Gaffaney & Allahuddien Paleker
Third Umpire: Adrian Holdstock
Fourth Umpire: Paul Reiffel
Match Referee: Andy Pycroft