Budhoo thrilled to officiate at IMC Over-40s World Cup in Guyana

Canada-based Guyanese umpire Suresh Budhoo has expressed delight at being selected to officiate at the 2026 International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40s World Cup, scheduled for October 17-31 in Guyana.
The 61-year-old qualified official will return to the international stage after recently standing in the IMC Over-60s World Cup in Ontario, Canada. He also officiated at the inaugural Over-40s World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2024.
“I am really excited to reach Guyana for this big World Cup tournament. It will be an honour again to be at a prestigious competition and perform duty,” said Budhoo, who lives in Etobicoke, near Toronto.
Sixteen teams will contest the 45-over tournament, which will begin with six matches being played simultaneously at venues across Guyana, including the National Stadium at Providence.

Defending champions South Africa will compete in Group A alongside Australia, the West Indies, Wales, Canada, Namibia, Sri Lanka and Colombia.
Group B is listed as comprising England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Scotland, India, New Zealand, Rest of the World XI and Rest of the Caribbean XI.
Budhoo said his experience at the inaugural tournament in South Africa was memorable, and he is looking forward to officiating on home soil.
“It was great to be at the first Over-40s World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa. It is always a wonderful place to umpire, and again I am looking forward to this one in Guyana as well,” he related.
Budhoo is a regular official in Canadian domestic cricket and has also stood in IMC Masters tournaments in Sri Lanka and Australia.
Among the highlights of his career were opportunities to officiate alongside former international umpires Billy Bowden in Australia and Steve Bucknor in Canada. Both Bowden and Bucknor enjoyed distinguished careers at the international level.
While Bowden and Bucknor will not be involved in the Guyana tournament, prominent Australian umpires Peter Tate and Daryl O’Sullivan are expected to officiate.
The tournament will be hosted by IMC in collaboration with the Cricket West Indies Masters Association.