Champions Trophy 2025 / Another slap on PCB's face, now this veteran umpire also refused to go to Pakistan

Pakistan has suffered another major setback before the Champions Trophy. Indian umpire Nitin Menon refused to go to Pakistan, due to which his name was removed from the list of umpires. Apart from this, experienced match referee Javagal Srinath will also not be a part of this tournament.

Vikrant Shekhawat : Feb 05, 2025, 07:40 PM
Champions Trophy 2025: Before the commencement of the Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan has suffered another major setback. Renowned Indian umpire Nitin Menon has refused to officiate matches in Pakistan. According to reports, this ICC Elite Panel umpire’s name is missing from the list of officials announced for the tournament.

Umpire’s Refusal After Indian Team’s Decision

Earlier, the Indian cricket team had also declined to play in Pakistan due to security concerns. Now, the Indian umpire’s decision has created further challenges for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Umpires for the Champions Trophy

According to the ICC’s official list, the following umpires will officiate in the tournament:

  • Kumar Dharmasena
  • Chris Gaffaney
  • Michael Gough
  • Adrian Holdstock
  • Richard Illingworth
  • Richard Kettleborough
  • Ahsan Raza
  • Paul Reiffel
  • Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid
  • Rodney Tucker
  • Alex Wharf
  • Joel Wilson

Javagal Srinath Also Left Out of the Panel

Former Indian fast bowler and experienced ICC match referee Javagal Srinath has also been excluded from the Champions Trophy panel. Instead, David Boon, Andrew Pycroft, and Ranjan Madugalle have been appointed as match referees.

Experience of Nitin Menon and Javagal Srinath

Nitin Menon has officiated in 40 Test matches, serving as an on-field umpire in 30 games and a TV umpire in 10. He has also officiated in 75 ODIs and 75 T20 internationals. Additionally, he has umpired in 13 women's T20 international matches.

Javagal Srinath has had a long career with the ICC, serving as a match referee in 79 Tests, 272 ODIs, and 136 T20 internationals. Recently, he was involved in a controversy when he allowed India to bring in a substitute player during the Pune T20 match against England.

Conclusion

The absence of Nitin Menon and Javagal Srinath from the Champions Trophy is undoubtedly a setback for the Pakistan Cricket Board. With the Indian team already refusing to play in Pakistan, the absence of Indian officials in the umpiring panel raises further questions about the tournament's arrangements.