New Delhi: Cricket umpire Aleem Dar will bid farewell to all kinds of umpiring at the end of Pakistan’s ongoing domestic season, drawing curtains on a decorated career that lasted nearly 25 years in this century. He had stepped down from the ICC’s Elite Panel of umpires in March 2023 but was still able to officiate the ODIs and T20Is as part of the International Panel.
This year in April, he stood in a T20I played between Pakistan and New Zealand. Dar’s last chance to stand in an international match will be the upcoming ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa which Pakistan host in February 2025. Dar is a regular in Pakistan Super League (PSL) and in the 2025 edition that will likely take place in May next year, might get the opportunity to receive a grand farewell.
Dar’s peak saw him being versed as the best umpire in the world as he won the David Shepherd trophy for the ICC Umpire of the Year three years in succession from 2009 to 2011. He was the first umpire from Pakistan to break through into the ICC’s elite panel when it was established in 2002. He went on to cement himself with a highly successful and respected career in the umpiring circuit, standing in four World Cup finals and a massive 145 Tests and 222 ODIs.
Dar announced his retirement in a statement in which he also reflected on his more than two decade long journey. “Umpiring has been my life for nearly 25 years and I have cherished the privilege of officiating some of the most iconic matches involving the greatest players of this generation. Throughout my career, I’ve strived to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, and it has been an honour to work alongside some of the finest match officials in the world,” Dar said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Dar’s noble ventures
In recent times, Dar has taken some time off the field setting up a charity which goes by the name – the Aleem Dar Foundation which provides free ambulance service, blood bank, and even transfusion for patients of thalassemia. He wants to dedicate more time there as a part of his next innings of the life.
“However, all great journeys must eventually come to an end, and the time has come for me to focus fully on my social and charity work. My hospital project and other initiatives are very close to my heart and require my full devotion and attention,” Dar added.
Talking about his playing career, Dar featured in 17 first-class and 18 List-A games between 1986 and 1998 as a leg spinner. He turned to the role of an umpire in first class, making his debut during the 1998-99 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He also said that he will continue working as a mentor and a guide for the upcoming generation of match officials.
Widely regarded as the best cricket umpire in the world, Pakistan’s Aleem Dar will call it quits upon all umpiring at the end of the domestic season 2024-25. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
