Sri Lanka`s pioneer umpire K T Francis passes away

Colombo: Renowned Sri Lankan umpire K T Francis, who stood in islanders` inaugural Test match in 1982, has passed away after losing battle against acute diabetes, family sources said on Monday.

He was 73. Francis died in a hospital on Sunday, they said. A Tamil, Francis along with Herbie Felsinger officiated in Sri Lanka`s first-ever Test match against England here in February 1982. He was a member of the ICC international panel of umpires and officiated in 25 Tests and 56 ODIs between 1982 and 1999. PTI