Asif Yaqoob named in LPL 2026 match officials panel

COLOMBO: Pakistan-based international cricket umpire Asif Yaqoob has been named in the match officials panel for the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026, scheduled to run from July 17 to August 8.

Yaqoob, a member of the ICC Emerging Umpires Group, has officiated in 149 international matches across both men's and women's cricket formats.

The 52-year-old also has extensive experience of T20s, having officiated 267 fixtures and thus has been selected as one of the umpires for the upcoming LPL 2026, where he will be joining the likes of Sri Lanka's Kumar Dharmasena of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Ranjan Madugalle will spearhead the match referee panel for the five-team tournament, which further includes Graeme Labrooy, Wendell Labrooy, Manoj Mendis and Pradeep Jeyapragash.

The LPL 2026 will officially get underway on July 17, featuring a repeat of the 2024 final between reigning champions Jaffna Kings and runners-up Galle Gallants, the last edition of the tournament.

The opening fixture will be staged under lights at the Sinhalese Sports Club Grounds in Colombo, which recently hosted its first T20 International during this year's T20 World Cup.

The SSC will host the opening three-day block of matches (July 17–19) before the competition moves to Dambulla, followed by Kandy.

The league stage will then return to Colombo, with the knockout matches and final scheduled at the R. Premadasa Stadium. A reserve day has been set aside for the final on August 9.

The 2026 edition will feature five franchises representing Jaffna Kings, Colombo Kaps, Kandy Royals, Galle Gallants and Dambulla Sixers.

LPL 2026 Match Referee Panel

• Ranjan Madugalle – ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees

• Graeme Labrooy – ICC Emerging Match Referees Group

• Wendell Labrooy – ICC International Panel of Match Referees

• Manoj Mendis – SLC Emerging Panel of Match Referees

• Pradeep Jeyapragash – SLC Emerging Panel of Match Referees

LPL 2026 Umpire Panel

• Kumar Dharmasena – ICC Elite Panel of Umpires

• Wayne Knights – ICC Emerging Umpires Group

• Asif Yaqoob – ICC Emerging Umpires Group

• Raveendra Wimalasiri – ICC International Panel of Umpires

• Prageeth Rambukwella – ICC International Panel of Umpires

• Ravindra Kottahachchi – ICC International Panel of Umpires

• Chamara De Zoysa – ICC International Panel of Umpires

• Asanka Nanayakkara – SLC Emerging Panel of Umpires

• Chandrika Amarasinghe – SLC Emerging Panel of Umpires

• Hemantha Boteju – SLC Emerging Panel of Umpires

• Shantha Fonseka – SLC Emerging Panel of Umpires

• S.P.R.L. Dulsiri – SLC Emerging Panel of Umpires