Who became the first ever woman to be appointed to the ICC International Panel of Match Referees?

Introduction / Context:
Cricket governance bodies such as the International Cricket Council (ICC) appoint match officials, including umpires and referees, to oversee international games. In recent years, women have been breaking barriers by entering these roles at the highest level. This question focuses on the first woman to be appointed to the ICC International Panel of Match Referees, a notable milestone in cricket officiating history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The role is that of a match referee, not a player.
• The appointment is to the ICC International Panel of Match Referees.
• We must identify the first woman to achieve this distinction.
• Options include Dia Mirza, Sana Mir, G. S. Lakshmi, Mithali Raj and “None of the above”.

Concept / Approach:
The correct name associated with this breakthrough is G. S. Lakshmi from India. She has a background in domestic cricket and later became a match referee. In 2019, she was appointed to the ICC International Panel of Match Referees as its first woman member. Other names in the options are either players (like Mithali Raj) or personalities from outside the match-refereeing context.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that G. S. Lakshmi was in the news for becoming the first woman match referee on the ICC’s International Panel. Step 2: Recognise that Mithali Raj is a famous Indian women’s cricket captain, primarily known as a batter, not as a referee. Step 3: Note that Dia Mirza is a film actress and environmental activist, not connected with cricket officiating. Step 4: Understand that Sana Mir is a distractor name and “None of the above” is unnecessary because the correct name is actually listed. Step 5: Choose G. S. Lakshmi as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, mentally pair “first woman ICC match referee” with G. S. Lakshmi. News articles highlighted her as a trailblazer for women officials, similar to how certain umpires became the first women to stand in men’s games. Remembering this association helps avoid confusion with well-known women cricketers, who are players rather than match referees.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Dia Mirza: Known for acting and activism, no official role as ICC match referee.
Sana Mir: Not the documented first woman on the ICC International Panel of Match Referees; appears here as a distractor.
Mithali Raj: A celebrated Indian women’s cricket captain and batter, but not a match referee on the ICC panel.
None of the above: Incorrect because G. S. Lakshmi, the correct match referee, is already listed as an option.

Common Pitfalls:
Many students see a familiar cricketing name like Mithali Raj and quickly choose it, overlooking the key term “match referee”. It is important to distinguish between playing roles (batters, bowlers, captains) and officiating roles (umpires and referees). When you read such questions, always pause to note whether the question is about a player’s record or an official’s appointment.

Final Answer:
The first woman appointed to the ICC International Panel of Match Referees was G. S. Lakshmi.