Dubai, Aug 22 (IANS) Former Australian opener David Boon will make his debut as a match referee in the series between Zimbabwe and Pakistan next week.

Boon, who played 107 Tests and 181 ODIs for Australia, replaced compatriot Alan Hurst in the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC match referees. Hurst retired after the fifth and last ODI between England and Sri Lanka in Manchester July 9.

Boon's first assignment will be the one-off Test between Zimbabwe and Pakistan in Bulawayo Thursday.

"I am really looking forward to visiting Zimbabwe for my first assignment as an elite panelist. I am very fortunate to have been close to cricket all my life and I am sure this phase in my new cricketing life will be as enjoyable as the other experiences," he said.

"I also can't wait and make my debut as an ICC official at the highest level in a country where I visited as a young player for an Australian under-25 side and on another occasion as captain of Tasmania," said the 50-year-old.

Boon has scored 7,422 Test runs, including 21 centuries and 32 half-centuries, and has 5,964 runs with five centuries and 37 half-centuries in ODIs.

After retiring from international cricket, Boon moved to cricket administration and served as a national selector and general manager cricket at Cricket Tasmania.