In a big news coming from the cricketing sphere, veteran international cricket umpire Aleem Dar has decided to step down from the ICC Elite Panel of umpires. He took this decision after serving the panel for 19 years and officiating in 435 international men’s cricket matches, a record in itself. Dar’s compatriot Ahsan Raza has been inducted in the panel along with South Africa’s Adian Holdstock on Thursday.
So far while Holdstock has officiated in five Tests, 42 ODIs and 48 T20Is so far, Raza has overseen seven Test matches, 41 ODIs and 48 T20Is. Their addition to the panel now means there are now 12 umpires in the ICC Elite Panel. The decision to add the two umpires was taken by the ICC Elite Umpire selection panel which is headed by ICC’s General Manager Wasim Khan.
While Pakistan Cricket was quick to congratulate Raza on the promotion to the Elite Panel of umpires, this is nothing but a continuation of legacy started by the 54-year-old who became the first Pakistani umpire to be named in the Elite Panel.
Congratulations Ahsan Raza on the promotion to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.
More details ➡️ https://t.co/peyQhTpOPB pic.twitter.com/dDqxxlNth6
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 16, 2023
2006 ICC Men’s Champions Trophy final, the 2007 and 2011 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup finals and the 2010 and 2012 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup finals are some of the most significant matches that he has officiated in. A testimony to how good he was at his job is the fact that he clinched the ICC Umpire of the Year honour for three times in a row between 2009 and 2011.
Congratulations Aleem Dar on a successful career as an elite panelist. He was the first Pakistani to become a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2004. pic.twitter.com/GTibtFTaoH
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 16, 2023
However, Dar also clarified that he intends to continue to umpire but felt this was the right time for him to vacate his spot in the elite panel.
“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,” he was quoted as saying in an official ICC release.
“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,” he added.
