The ICC on Saturday confirmed that it has appointed the highly experienced David Boon as match referee for Pakistan’s upcoming limited-overs clashes against Sri Lanka on home soil.
The decision comes after the world governing body conducted its own independent review of the security conditions in Pakistan. Former Australia batsman Boon is one of the most experienced and respected match referees in the ICC panel and has officiated in 135 ODIs and 51 T20Is since the turn of 2011.
Along with Boon, the ICC have also confirmed the presence of Elite Panel umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough for the six limited-overs clashes. They will be joined by another Elite Panel umpire in the form of Aleem Dar who has been named as the home umpire for the clashes along with Sozaib Raza, Asif Yaqoob and Ahsan Raza.
Pakistan are slated to take on Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series in Karachi followed by as many T20 clashes in the city of Lahore. The tour had earlier been thrown into doubt after the Sri Lankan government’s tip-off for a potential terror threat with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) subsequently calling for a ‘reassessment’ of security conditions.
David Boon appointed match referee for Pakistan v Sri Lanka series
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) September 21, 2019
Details: https://t.co/KZFEYuTaEi#PAKvSL
However, those fears have been allayed recently with SLC confirming that the tour will go ahead as planned after receiving assurances from the Pakistan government and Pakistan Cricket Board.
Sri Lanka have named rejigged ODI and T20 outfits led by Lahiru Thirimanne and Dasun Shanaka respectively after 10 senior players pulled out of the tour citing security concerns. Pakistan, meanwhile, has named a 16-man ODI squad led by Sarfraz Ahmed.
The clashes against Sri Lanka will be the first assignment for Misbah-ul-Haq since taking over as the head coach and chief selector of the Pakistan team. The first ODI between the two sides will take place at Karachi on September 27 while the tour will culminate with the final T20 in Lahore to be held on October 9.
