"VAN" (Sports Desk - 30.11.2025) :: The DP World ILT20 Season 4 will see the return of one of cricket's most respected figures, with Australian umpire Simon Taufel set to head the match officials panel for a fourth-year running. Taufel will join Sri Lanka's
Roshan Mahanama as the pair share match referee duties throughout the season.
Taufel will also serve as the on-field umpire in the first match of the season, between Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers – a rematch of last year’s final. The five-time ICC Umpire of the Year (2004-2008) will be joined by Bangladesh’s Gazi Sohel on field while
West Indies’ Leslie Reifer and Afghanistan’s Ahmad Pakteen will serve as third and fourth umpires respectively.
The highly experienced group of match officials will also include Australia’s elite-panel umpire, Rod Tucker, and Paul Wilson, New Zealand's Wayne Knights, Martin Saggers, (three Tests for England) and Aasif Iqbal, Akbar Ali Khan and Shiju Mannil, representing
the UAE.
Notably, the season will also mark the first DP World ILT20 appearance for Gazi Sohel and Wayne Knights.
As preparations build toward the opening fixture, Taufel highlighted his anticipation for the upcoming season: “I love the passion for cricket in this region. The DP World ILT20 Season 4 continues to offer that wonderful international flavour with a mix of
experience and developing talent. This league is pioneering new efficiencies in officiating through technology and specialist TV umpiring roles. As we head into Season 4, the focus is on accuracy, consistency and delivering a refined, polished officiating
product.”
He further added, “We’ve got umpires from Australia, New Zealand, the West Indies, England and beyond. We also have an elite-panel umpire in Rod Tucker this season, and an international match referee in Roshan Mahanama, formerly with the ICC. That blend of
youth and experience creates what I like to call our ‘seventh team’, and how we perform together is just as important as how the players combine out in the middle. We’re here to learn, grow, and deliver our best.
Speaking on the growing presence of UAE representatives amongst match officials in the international circuit, Taufel added: “We’re seeing more UAE officials stepping forward and gaining wider opportunities, whether in the Asia Cup, ICC events, youth tournaments
or other global fixtures. That progress is encouraging.”
The six-team, 34-match DP World ILT20 Season 4 begins on Tuesday, 2 December, the UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad), at the iconic Dubai International Stadium with a spectacular opening ceremony headlined by singer Ali Zafar.
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