Aleem Dar, a record-holder, leaves the ICC’s Elite Panel of Umpires
Aleem Dar, a seasoned official from Pakistan who has officiated in a record number of international cricket matches throughout his illustrious career, resigned from the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires on Thursday.
The 58-year-old played in 69 T20 Internationals, 144 Tests, and 222 ODIs, both of which set world records.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced in a press release that experienced umpire Aleem Dar has retired after 19 years on the Elite Panel and 435 men’s international games, a record.
In 2002, Aleem officiated his first international game as an Elite Panel umpire, and a year later, he was in South Africa for the 2003 World Cup.
Aleem, who began umpiring after playing first-class cricket in Pakistan, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to oversee international games.
According to Aleem, the voyage has been lengthy, but I have cherished every minute of it.
“I have had the pleasure and honour of officiating all over the world, and what I have accomplished is something I could not have even imagined when I first entered the field.”
Geoff Allardice, the chief executive of the ICC, appreciated Aleem’s commitment to sport.
“Aleem has made a genuinely amazing contribution to both the ICC and international cricket. He gained a great deal of respect from everyone engaged in international cricket due to his consistently excellent performances over such a protracted time, according to Allardice.
Adrian Holdstock of South Africa and Ahsan Raza of Pakistan, according to the ICC, have been named to the Elite Panel. Aleem was succeeded by Ahsan.
In the meanwhile, Ahsan has been congratulated on his elevation to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, and Aleem has been acknowledged for his contributions by Najam Sethi of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee.
Ahsan, 48, is the first umpire to officiate in 50 T20 Internationals. He has been a member of the ICC International Panel of Umpires since 2010. He has officiated in a total of 72 T20Is, seven Tests, and 41 ODIs.
Ahsan Raza’s appointment as the third Pakistani umpire to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires is a source of immense pride and satisfaction for the whole country. I want to congratulate Ahsan on this fantastic accomplishment and know that he will keep working tirelessly, passionately, and with commitment to raise the status and image of this great profession, Sethi remarked.
“I also want to congratulate Aleem on a job well done as a distinguished panellist. He established himself as one of the most reputable and well-qualified umpires in the industry as the first Pakistani to join the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.