Will Aleem Dar Remain Invincible as an On-Field-Umpire?
The umpire surpassed Koertzen's record of most ODI's by standing in his 210th match
WEB DESK: After standing in his 210th ODI and 132nd Test match, it seems like Pakistan’s international cricket umpire, Aleem Dar is going to remain unbeatable for long.
The 52-year-old, Aleem Dar surpassed RE Koertzen’s record of most ODI’s as on-field- umpire on Sunday. He achieved the feat by officiating the second ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi.
Dar also holds the record of umpiring in most Test matches. He achieved the feat when he officiated in his 132nd match last year — Australia vs New Zealand in Perth in December — to go past Jamaican Steve Bucknor’s mark.
He also enjoys a hefty lead when all three formats are combined. The record for officiating in the most international matches — 387 — is also in the name of Dar..jpg)
According to the list of most ODIs as an umpire, following Dar, RE Koertzen ‘209’, BF Bowden ‘200’, SA Bucknor ‘181’, DJ Harper ‘174’, already bade adieu to the profession. Meanwhile, for the most Test matches as Umpire, Aleem Dar surpassed SA Bucknor ‘128’, RE Koertzen ‘108’, DJ Harper ‘95’, DR Shepherd ‘92’, all have long been retired.
However, the umpiring realm in test and ODIs but Ahsan Raza holds the record for appearing in the most number of T20s ‘49’ followed by Aleem Dar ‘46’.
“It is a matter of great honour for me to be on top of the list of both Tests and ODIs for umpires. When I had started … I had never imagined I would get this far. I can only say that I have enjoyed every moment on the field and learning has been an ongoing process all this while,” Dar said in an ICC statement.
“… I am grateful to the International Cricket Council and the Pakistan Cricket Board for backing me and providing me with all the opportunities. I am also thankful to all my colleague match officials for their help and support.”
Dar, who played first-class cricket in Pakistan for over a decade as an all-rounder before taking up umpiring, made his international debut as an umpire in February 2000, in an ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Gujranwala, his hometown.
He has been a part of the ICC’s elite panel of umpires for 16 years.
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