World-renowned Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar retired after serving in record matches during his career while Ahsan Raza, another Pakistani umpire, was included in the ICC Elite Panel.
Aleem Dar, 58, officiated in 144 Tests, 222 ODIs, a world record for both, as well as 69 T20 Internationals.
Aleem Dar has stepped down after 19 years in the elite panel having officiated in a record 435 international matches, an ICC press release stated.
Dar served as an elite panel umpire in the first international match in 2002 and was also an umpire in the 2023 World Cup in South Africa. He had officiated after playing first-class cricket in Pakistan.
“It’s been a long journey but I have enjoyed every moment,” Aleem Dar was quoted as saying in an ICC press release. “I’ve enjoyed umpiring around the world and I’ve achieved something I didn’t even dream of when I started umpiring.
ICC Chief Executive Jeff Al-Diaz praised Aleem Dar’s contribution to the game saying that Aleem Dar’s performance in international cricket and ICC has been remarkable.
South Africa’s Adrian Holdstock and Pakistan’s Ahsan Raza have been included in the elite panel, the ICC said.
On the other hand, Najam Sethi, head of the Pakistan Cricket Board ‘s (PCB) management committee, congratulated Ahsan Raza on being included in the elite panel of umpires in the ICC and thanked Aleem Dar for his services.
48-year-old Ahsan Raza has been on the ICC’s International Panel of Umpires since 2010 and first officiated in 50 T20 Internationals, in total he has served in 72 T20 Internationals, 7 Tests and 41 ODIs.
Raza has shared excitement after his inclusion in the ICC elite panel of umpires.
