Indian umpire Sundaram Ravi to officiate NZ-Pak Test series

Indian umpire Sundaram Ravi is all set to officiate the two-match Test series between New Zealand and Pakistan beginning November 17 at Hagley Oval.

The 50-year-old, who made his Test umpiring debut in October 2013 at Chittagong when Bangladesh hosted New Zealand, has been given on-field duty and will stand alongside experienced Ian Gould of England for the opening Test.

Meanwhile, Australia's Simon Fry, who is currently officiating the ongoing final match of the Zimbabwe-Sri Lanka series in Harare, will serve as the TV umpire during the Christchurch Test.

Fry would then join the Indian umpire in the middle for the second Test beginning November 25 at Seddon Park in Hamilton. Gould will monitor the TV replays of that match.

Ravi, who is due to stand in his 16th Test match, has previously officiated three Tests involving Pakistan, which came all against Sri Lanka, the Dawn reported.

Ravi has been on on-field duty in 27 ODIs and 18 T20Is while Fry has stood in 29 ODIs and 11 T20Is matches.

In contrast, Gould has been on the ICC Elite Panel since 2008 and officiated as the on-field official in 54 Tests, 114 ODIs and 37 T20Is so far.

Meanwhile, former West Indies skipper Richie Richardson has been named as the match referee for the upcoming two matches in New Zealand.