T20 Cricket News

Udaya Wickramasinghe, the former Sri Lankan international umpire, has died at the age of 70 following a sudden illness.

Wickramasinghe officiated in three home Tests between 1987 and 1997, against New Zealand (1987), Australia (1992) and Pakistan (1997) where he stood with the England umpire David Shepherd, and in 10 ODIs. Wickramasinghe became the first overseas umpire to qualify as an official instructor of the Association of Cricket Umpires (England) in 1988.

A friendly and knowledgeable person, Wickramasinghe umpired for three decades having begun in 1969. He is best remembered for giving three consecutive lbw decisions against India which enabled Pakistan fast bowler Aaqib Javed achieve a hat-trick on his way to world record ODI figures of 7 for 37 in the Sharjah final in 1991.

KT Francis, a long standing colleague of Wickramasinghe, said: "Wicky was a top-class umpire and one of the leading umpires during Sri Lanka's early years as a Test nation. He will be greatly missed."

A product of St Peter's College and Dharmapala College, Wickramasinghe worked as an Immigration Officer in the Immigration Department throughout his career and after retirement he joined Sri Lanka Cricket as assignment umpire. He also officiated as a match referee.

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