Match referee Richardson arrives in Lahore, ahead of Independence Cup

LAHORE: As three-match Twenty20 (T20) series is scheduled to begin here on September 12, the star-studded World XI players are all set to arrive while former West Indian batsman Richie Richardson – who is the match referee – has already arrived here, ARY News reported on Saturday.

The former West Indian skipper has been appointed match referee by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the upcoming Independence Cup.

He will officiate at three-match T-20 series between Pakistan national team and World XI, which will be played at Gaddafi Stadium on September 12, 13 and 15.

On the other hand, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday had announced names of umpires for the Independence Cup.

Aleem Dar of ICC Umpires’ Elite Panel and Ahsan Raza of International Panel are to officiate when Pakistani players face World XI.

Meanwhile, Shozab Raza has been appointed as TV umpire.

Other international players have also started reaching Dubai from where they will depart for Pakistan on Monday.

Australian all-rounder Ben Cutting and West Indies’s Darren Sammy will hold media conference today while South Africa’s Hashim Amla and New Zealand’s Grant Elliott will share their views on Sunday (tomorrow).