Aleem Dar, considered one of the most respected and admired cricket umpires in the world, will retire from the Pakistan Cricket Board at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Aleem Dar’s illustrious and distinguished career spans over a quarter of a century, with Aleem winning the ICC Umpire of the Year (2009-2011) three times as a true gentleman on and off the field. There are also winners.
Aleem, 56, played 17 first-class and 18 List A matches between 1986 and 1998. He made his first-class umpiring debut during the 1998 Quaid-i-Azam Trophy. From 2003 to 2023, he served on the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, where he earned a global reputation for his managerial skills, understanding of game situations, calm demeanor and excellent decision-making.
He is currently part of the PCB’s elite panel and is one of the four Pakistani umpires on the ICC’s international panel, which makes him eligible to officiate in One Day Internationals and T20 Internationals.
Aleem Dar has so far umpired in 145 Tests, 231 One Day Internationals, 72 T20 Internationals, 5 Women’s Twenty20 Internationals, 181 First Class matches, and 282 List A matches.
On his decision to retire, Aleem Dar said, “Umpiring has been my life for almost 25 years, and I have had the privilege of umpiring some of the most memorable matches involving the greatest players of this generation.”
“Throughout my career, I have strived to uphold the highest standards of the sport, and it has been an honour to work with some of the best match officials in the world, but all great journeys eventually come to an end, and the time has come,” he said. To concentrate fully on my social and charity work, my hospital project and other initiatives are very close to my heart and require my full dedication and attention.
Having achieved almost everything I aspired to in umpiring with the unwavering support of my colleagues, I also feel the need to step aside and encourage budding umpires to emerge and grow, says Aleem Dar. This is the perfect time to let it shine.
He said, “I hope that he will get similar opportunities to make his mark on the great game of cricket and represent Pakistan with pride. I will continue to umpire this season, which will be my last season. Committed to mentoring and supporting the next generation of officials, I will always be available to guide those making a career in this great field.
