ICC announces a change to umpire appointments for upcoming Test series in India

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a change to the previously announced umpire appointments for the upcoming Test series in India.Pakistani nationals require city-specific visas when travelling to India. This week Asad Rauf, the Emirates Elite Panel umpire who was to officiate in both Tests, received his passport back with a visa appropriate for the original venues. With the change in venues he required a new visa but due to the weekend, followed by the Eid al-Adha holidays, there was insufficient time for one to be issued, so he has had to step down from the first Test.He will be replaced by Billy Bowden, also of the Emirates Elite Panel, who will officiate in the first Test in Chennai, beginning on December 11.It is anticipated Asad will be able to stand in the second match of the series in Mohali, starting on December 18.The other ICC appointments for the series - on-field umpire Daryl Harper of the Emirates Elite Panel and match referee Jeff Crowe, from the Emirates Elite Panel of match referees - remain unchanged.