Aleem Dar steps down after 19 years on the Elite panel, Ahsan Raza takes his place

[MenInG]

South Africa’s Adrian Holdstock and Pakistan’s Ahsan Raza have been included in the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires even as veteran Aleem Dar has stepped down after 19 years on the Elite panel, standing in a record 435 men’s international matches.

The ICC Elite Umpire Selection Panel headed by ICC General Manager – Cricket, Wasim Khan, made the additions during the annual review and selection process, increasing the number of umpires on the panel from 11 to 12.

Aleem, who has been on the Elite panel since its inception in the year 2002, has officiated in more Tests and ODIs than any other umpire and is second in T20Is, behind compatriot Ahsan.

Aleem reflected on his career and thanked his colleagues over the years.

Aleem Dar: “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.

“I thank the ICC, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and my colleagues on the panel for their support over the years. I would also like to thank my family; without whose support I could not have gone on for so long. I look forward to continuing to serve the game as an umpire”.

ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice congratulated Aleem for a highly successful career.

Geoff Allardice: “Aleem's contribution to international cricket and to the ICC 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.””

Holdstock has officiated in five Tests, 42 ODIs and 48 T20Is while Ahsan has stood in seven Tests, 41 ODIs and 72 T20Is. Both umpires were part of the panels for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022.

Holdstock and Ahsan were enthusiastic on being inducted in the panel.

Adrian Holdstock: "This is a huge moment in my career as an umpire. I've been officiating internationally for a while, but the Elite panel is another level.

“I'm excited about the upcoming opportunities and look forward to giving my all in the new position. I appreciate all my colleagues, the ICC and Cricket South Africa for their support over the years. In addition, I want to thank my family, especially my wife Carmen, without whom I would not have been able to continue in a profession I love so much.”

Ahsan Raza: "I feel extremely honoured and proud to be included in the Elite panel. I've always wanted to officiate regularly alongside the best match officials.

"I have already officiated in international matches across formats as well as in ICC events, so am aware of the enormous responsibility that this position entails. I hope to put all my experience over the years to good use but will continue to learn from my senior colleagues on the panel.

“I want to thank the ICC and the PCB for supporting me and helping me get to this point in my career. Thanks are also due to my wife and daughters for always being there for me.”

The other members of the panel are: Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand), Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka), Marais Erasmus (South Africa), Michael Gough (England), Nitin Menon (India), Paul Reiffel (Australia), Richard Illingworth (England), Richard Kettleborough (England), Rodney Tucker (Australia), Joel Wilson (West Indies).

There is no change in the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.

A brief profile of Aleem Dar:

Born 6 June 1968, Jhang, Pakistan
144 Tests (since 2003, more than anyone else)
222 ODIs (since 2000, more than anyone else)
69 T20Is (since 2009, currently in second place)
Stood in the finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 and 2011
Stood in the finals of the ICC T20 WC 2010 and 2012
He was the first Pakistani umpire to be part of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires
Won the David Shepherd Trophy three years in a row - 2009, 2010 and 2011
In total, he stood in five ICC CWC tournaments and seven ICC T20 WC tournaments

[MenInG]

Mr Najam Sethi, Chair of the PCB Management Committee, has congratulated Ahsan Raza on his promotion to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and has also thanked Aleem Dar for his services as an elite panelist for nearly two decades and showcasing the soft and positive image of Pakistan.

Ahsan has been a member of the ICC International Panel of Umpires since 2010 and is the first to reach the 50 T20Is-mark as an umpire. Overall, he has umpired in 72 T20Is, along with seven Tests and 41 ODIs.

Ahsan Raza will replace compatriot Aleem Dar on the panel, who had joined the distinguished group in 2004. Aleem officiated in a world record 435 international matches, including a record 144 Tests and 222 ODIs, and 69 T20Is. Aleem won the ICC Umpire of the Year award for three successive years from 2009 from 2011.

Mr Najam Sethi: “It is a moment of great pride and joy for the whole nation that Ahsan Raza has become the third Pakistan umpire to be appointed to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. I want to congratulate Ahsan on this wonderful achievement and I am sure he will continue to work hard with dedication and passion to enhance the image and profile of this noble profession.

“Ahsan is a great inspiration for many young and upcoming umpires and his elevation demonstrates we have talented umpires in Pakistan who are skilled enough to break into the top category. I hope we, at the PCB, will continue to utilise his expertise, knowledge and experience in our domestic and international matches.

“I also want to congratulate Aleem Dar on his successful career as an elite panelist. He was the first Pakistani to become a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires way back in 2004 and since then, he has established himself as one of the most respected and highly-qualified umpires in the business.

“Throughout his outstanding career, he earned worldwide appreciation and accolades through his work ethics, undivided commitment to the game, good decision-making and excellent man management skills. He will remain as one of the best and finest to have ever served on the elite panel.

“Aleem has been a role model for umpires across generations. The PCB will be very fortunate to make the most of his presence and availability by integrating him in our system so that he can groom, mentor and tutor young umpires which, in turn, will help in significant improvement in the quality of umpiring in our domestic cricket and also produce umpires who can go on to represent Pakistan in the international and elite panels.”

[sweep_shot]

One of the best umpires of all time.

Have a great retirement, Mr. Aleem.

[angrypathan]

One of the best umpires of all time.

Have a great retirement, Mr. Aleem.

He’s not retired. Just stepping down from the Elite Panel, so I imagine will be mostly involved in LOIs going forward

[Major]

While Pakistani players work hard to become good players, we had an umpire who worked his way through. He represented Pakistan as a great ambassador of the game. Always went into the games in a dignified manner and was never involved in any controversies.

Before we ha Babar Azam and Rizwan winning ICC awards, we only had one guy who used to win ICC awards and it would be Aleem Dar, and we would celebrate.

Aleem Dar or Simon Taufel being the umpire of a game was always a blessing as you knew their decisions would be accurate.

Covid allowed Pakistan to finally get Aleem Dar to umpire in our games, but I think that also hit his performance aswell. Covid allowed teams to have local umpires and Dar who would not be allowed in the past to feature in Pakistani games, was given the opportunity. But I often felt that when he was not sure of a decision involving Pakistan, he would make the wrong decision just so that he would not come as a biased umpire. That affected his performance..

Not to sure whether he himself step down or was asked by ICC to step down from the Elite panel. Because lets admit, this guy has achieved soo many accolades and been ICC's top man in umpiring that they would allow him to make such a decision.

Anyways, still he hasn't retired, and that is good. He doesnt need to retire, he only had to be removed from the elite panel. Even with his poor recent form he is still much much much better umpire than many.

Meanwhile Ahsan Raza is a great addition. In the recent years he has made good decisions and has been for years umpiring and finally got a spot on the elite panel. Hopefully he can make a name for himself. Not as good as Aleem Dar in his prime, but Ahsan makes some good decisions.

[Saj]

Timing is about right.

He's been making a lot of errors of late.

He's been a fantastic umpire and ambassador for Pakistan cricket.

[Savak]

Does this mean he will now be restricted to low profile games now?

[ArabKnight]

Did he step off or was he removed?

[Bewal Express]

At one time he was the best umpire in the World.

[Champ_Pal]

Pakstan always produces the best quality umpires in Asia.

[moghul]

Made good decision , he was not performing well as an umpire lately. Was world number one years ago, but has been in poor form for years.

[SpiritOf1903]

At his best he was exceptional

[JattMaula]

He was the best decision taker at his prime. Handled all duties of umpiring with distinction. Happy retirement Aleem!

[Mamoon]

Aleem Dar was always overrated. No so-called legendary umpire would make so many obvious errors as he did.

He was a strange one - he rarely got difficult decisions wrong but rarely got easy decisions right.

In my opinion, Asad Rauf was a more competent umpire if we are strictly talking about Pakistani umpires. Dar just got lucky.

[Babeikh]

Glad he has seemingly realised it is time to go rather than carry on. At his peak (2008-2012 or so) he was an utterly magnificent umpire hence he was consistently voted as the best umpire in the world by the test captains and his colleagues.

However if I am honest he had started to annoy me in the last 5 years or so. Like that incident with Dahani and his general demeanour was just starting to wind me up. Anyway, good career overall and wish him all the best in retirement.

[Shoaib Akhtar 100 MPH]

A Great elite level umpire who had a fantastic and distinguished career who represented his country with distinction.
A very popular and well respected umpire by his peers and players who got most decisions right even before the introduction of DRS

All the best with his future international and domestic endeavours.

[Shoaib Akhtar 100 MPH]

What a foolish reply. He got lucky for 19 years.