DUBAI: Female umpires will officiate for the first time in the women’s World Twenty20 qualifiers, cricket’s governing body announced on Wednesday.

In a move designed to further the development of the women’s game, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015, in Bangkok, Thailand, from Nov 28 to Dec 5, will feature four female officials.

“Experienced New Zealander Kathleen Cross will be joined by Australia’s Claire Polosak, England’s Sue Redfern and West Indies’ Jacqueline Williams for the qualifier,” the ICC said in a release.

Only male umpires have officiated the women’s game previously.

Eight teams — Bangladesh, China, Ireland, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand and Zimbabwe — will fight out for the two available spots in the ICC World Twenty20 in India, which will be staged alongside the men’s event from March 11 to April 3, 2016.

“The trailblazing quartet’s selections are a further positive step forward, and also reasserts the ICC’s commitment to, the development of the women’s game,” said the ICC.

“It is hoped that these appointments will also inspire more women to become involved in officiating and participating in the game.”

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2015