Legendary Umpire Aleem Dar to Hang Up His Whistle After 2024-25 Season
Aleem Dar, a Pakistani umpire with almost 20 years of experience who has overseen 448 international matches, said on Friday that he will retire from the game at the conclusion of the 2024–25 domestic season.
Dar has a stellar record as an umpire and has been a respected member of the ICC’s Elite and International Panels since 2003.
The 56-year-old Dar’s three career victories for the David Shepherd Trophy—ICC Umpire of the Year (2009–2011)—were indicative of this.
In a statement, Dar said, “I have loved the privilege of officiating some of the most iconic matches involving the greatest players of this generation. Umpiring has been my life for nearly 25 years.”
“I have worked hard to maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship throughout my career, and I consider it an honor to work with some of the best match officials in the world,” he continued.
Dar declared that he would now concentrate on his charitable endeavors.
But all wonderful things must come to an end, and this is the right moment for me to devote all of my attention to my charitable and humanitarian activity.
“I have a lot of passion for my hospital project and other initiatives, and they need all of my focus and attention.” stated Dar.
Along with his fellow countryman Asad Rauf, who umpired 51 games in the Indian Premier League (IPL) between 2008 and 2014, Dar officiated 38 games in the league.
Dar was an impeccable figure even after his fellow umpires, Rauf, Nadeem Ghouri, and Akram Raza—who was not an international umpire—had to quit their jobs due to disciplinary action from the authorities.
Dar began his career as a First-Class umpire in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in 1998–1999, and he was a member of the ICC International and Elite Panel of
He developed a reputation as an umpire for his ability to calmly handle players, comprehend the playing conditions, and make excellent decisions.
He is qualified to officiate in ODIs and T20Is since he is a member of the PCB’s Elite Panel and one of only four Pakistani umpires on the ICC’s International Panel.
A record-breaking 145 Tests, 231 ODIs, 72 T20Is, 5 T20 World Cups, 181 First-Class matches, and 282 List-A matches have been officiated by Dar thus far.
Dar said he had decided to retire from active umpiring as he wanted to focus on his foundation work but would be available to mentor and guide the new generation of Pakistan umpires.
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