Aleem Dar has stepped down from the elite panel of umpires of the Apex council of cricket. He was the first Pakistani to be a part of the elite umpire in the governing body of cricket in 2004. Aleem got a nomination for the umpire of the year award in 2005 and 2006 respectively. However, two more umpires have been added to the elite panel of umpires for the 2023-24 season. South Africa’s Adrian Holdstock and Pakistan’s Ahsan Raza have been added to the elite panel of umpires. Holdstock has been featured in five Tests, 42 ODIs, and 48 T20Is so far.
On the other hand, Raza has officiated in seven Tests, 41 ODIs, and 48 T20Is so far. Aleem Dar was one of the most respected umpires as he officiated in 435 men’s international matches. Dar also won the umpire of the year award for three consecutive years between 2009 and 2011. He also officiated in big games like the 2006 Men's Champions Trophy final, the 2007 and 2011 Men's Cricket World Cup finals, and the 2010 and 2012 Men's 20-20 World Cup finals.
"It has been a long journey, but I have enjoyed every bit of it.” - Aleem Dar
Speaking about him, CEO of the governing body of cricket, Geoff Allardice said, "Aleem's contribution to international cricket and to the apex council of cricket has been truly remarkable. Consistently elite performances over such a long period saw him enjoy enormous respect across all involved in international cricket. I wish Aleem all the best for the future and I am sure his involvement in the game will continue for many years to come."
Regarding his long journey, Aleem Dar said that he had enjoyed every bit of it. "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."
"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," Dar concluded. However, after hearing the news, the Pakistan Board also acknowledged the contribution from Dar as an umpire in world cricket. But, some fans came up and trolled Pakistan as they claimed that now the Men in Green will find it tough to win a match in Aleem Dar’s absence.
Here are some funny tweets shared in terms of Dar stepping down from the elite panel of umpires:
— Laksh Sind (@LakshSind) March 16, 2023
Pakistan Won't Be Able To Draw Any More Games 😢 pic.twitter.com/kyBcs4MajT
— Fluky Cricketer (@flukycricketer) March 16, 2023
Disadvantage pakistan
— Rohirat (@indiacricketicc) March 16, 2023
Ab Pakistan ko koun bachayega test me 🫤
— Rashıd Khan (@R4HULS11N9H) March 16, 2023
Pakistan shivering 🥶
— AR (@31_FOREVER_) March 16, 2023
Best Pakistani Cricket Career
— Harsh (@186Harsh) March 16, 2023
He was better player than Babar Azam for Pakistan
— INTROVERT (@No__Excuse__) March 16, 2023
Ab pakistaniyo ko kn jitayega
— Aditya Ray (@Adityar16433534) March 16, 2023
Umpire v sathh chhod rhe 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/nbWj86u7Ui