Veteran cricket umpire Aleem Dar has stepped down after 19 years on the Elite Panel after standing in a record 435 men’s international matches.
Dar, who has been on the Elite Panel since its inception in the year 2002, has officiated in more Tests and ODIs than any other umpire. He is second in T20Is, behind compatriot Ahsan Raza, also from Pakistan, who has been included in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires along with South Africa’s Adrian Holdstock.
The ICC Elite Umpire Selection Panel headed by ICC General Manager – Cricket, Wasim Khan, made the additions during the annual review and selection process, increasing the number of umpires on the panel from 11 to 12.
“It has been a long journey, but I have enjoyed every bit of it. I have had the pleasure and honour of umpiring the world over and what I have achieved is something I did not even dream of when I started in the profession,” said Dar reflecting on his career.
“Though I am still keen to continue as an international umpire, I felt it was now the right time, after 19 years on the road to step away from the Elite panel and provide an opportunity to someone from the International Panel. My message to umpires the world over is to work hard, maintain discipline and never stop learning.
“I thank the ICC, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and my colleagues on the panel for their support over the years. I would also like to thank my family; without whose support I could not have gone on for so long. I look forward to continuing to serve the game as an umpire,” he added.
The other members of the panel are: Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand), Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka), Marais Erasmus (South Africa), Michael Gough (England), Nitin Menon (India), Paul Reiffel (Australia), Richard Illingworth (England), Richard Kettleborough (England), Rodney Tucker (Australia), Joel Wilson (West Indies).
There is no change in the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.
Born on 6th June 1968 in Pakistan’s Jhang, Dar has stood in 144 Tests (since 2003, more than anyone else) and 222 ODIs (since 2000, more than anyone else). He has also officiated in 69 T20Is (since 2009, currently in second place). He stood in the finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 and 2011 and finals of the ICC T20 WC in 2010 and 2012.
He was the first Pakistani umpire to be part of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.
