Former West Indies (WI) skipper Sir Richie Richardson has been appointed referee for the upcoming Independence Cup to be played between Pakistan and the World XI. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the move on Tuesday.
The World XI and Pakistan will play three T20s in the Independence Cup series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sept 12, 13 and 15.
Richardson, who has refereed in 11 Tests, 19 One Day Internationals (ODI) and 18 Twenty20s, has been a member of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees since 2016, after ex-Sri Lanka batsman Roshan Mahanama stepped down from his position after 10 years on the job.
Richardson played alongside the legendary Vivian Richards for nearly eight years and had a stellar career from 1983 until 1996. One of the finest batsmen of his time, he represented the West Indies in 86 Tests and 224 ODIs, leading the region in 24 Tests (11 wins and six defeats) and 87 ODIs (winning 46 and losing 36). In January 2011, Richardson was appointed team manager of the West Indies and served in that role until the end of the Test tour of Australia earlier this year.
Richardson’s appointment signifies the first time the ICC is sending match officials to Pakistan since the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team.
