Sports Desk:

For the first time in history, the Women’s Cricket World Cup will be run entirely by female officials.

The ICC confirmed on Thursday that all 31 matches of the 2025 edition in India will be overseen by an all-women panel — 14 umpires and four referees. It is the first time the Women’s World Cup will be officiated this way, though other events such as the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the last two Women’s T20 World Cups have done the same.

Bangladesh’s first female international umpire, Shathira Jakir Jesy, also made her name in the list. Shathira also played for the Bangladesh national women’s team.

Other names on the list are also familiar. Claire Polosak, Jacqueline Williams and Sue Redfern return for their third World Cup. Lauren Agenbag and Kim Cotton, who stood in the 2022 final, are also back, as is Eloise Sheridan. On the referees’ side, Trudy Anderson, Shandre Fritz, GS Lakshmi and Michell Pereira will take charge.

ICC chairman Jay Shah called it “a defining moment,” adding that the step was not just symbolic but about “visibility and opportunity” for future officials.

The World Cup runs from September 30 to November 2, across four Indian venues. Eight teams will take part, with the final scheduled for Navi Mumbai or Colombo.

The ICC said it will continue to back women in officiating with coaching support, performance reviews and access to umpire managers.

For the players, the focus will be on the trophy. For the officials, it is about proving that the game can be run at the highest level without a man in sight.