World T20 gets first women umpires

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has for the first time included two women in its list of umpires for the World T20 which begins in India next month.

New Zealander Kathleen Cross will make history when she officiates at the Pakistan-Bangladesh women's tie in the southern city of Chennai along with India's Anil Chaudhary on March 16, the ICC said on Thursday.

Two days later, Claire Polosak from Australia will stand in the New Zealand-Ireland women's match in the northern city of Mohali along with India's Vineet Kulkarni.

Cross, who has earlier officiated in Women's World Cup qualifiers, became the first woman to be named in an ICC umpires' panel in 2014.

The pair will be part of a 31-strong team officiating in the sixth edition of the World T20 which runs from March 8 to April 3.