GS Lakshmi is set to become the first woman match referee to officiate a men’s ODI. The Indian will oversee the third series of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2. The opening match of the competition will take place between the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on December 8.

The tournament, which is on the Road to India 2023, will provide development opportunities for the officials.

Earlier in May this year, she became the first woman to get appointed onto the ICC International Panel of Match Referees.

Lakshmi, 51, first officiated as a match referee in a domestic women’s cricket in 2008-09. Till now, she has overseen three women’s ODI matches, seven women’s T20 Internationals and 16 men’s T20 Internationals.

“It feels great, having anything assigned ‘first’ to your name gives me a sense of pride. This being a big ICC event (ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup,” Lakshmi, who was thrilled of her achievement, told ICC on Thursday.
Lakshmi also recounted how cricket helped her secure a place in college, her time as a cricketer and how she first got into the game of cricket.

“I played cricket with my brothers and friends, when they (the college) saw my skills, I had a natural bowling action, they immediately accepted me to the college and I then played for my state in domestic cricket for 18 years,” she said.

“These qualification events provide a good platform to prepare officials and provide them opportunities to gain valuable experience. I hope my promotion to the ICC International Panel of Match Referees and records like this can inspire many females. This is definitely another career opportunity for women,” Lakshmi concluded.