Completing a century: Dar is Pakistan’s pride, says fellow umpire Raza

Veteran cricket official becomes first Asian to officiate in 100 Tests

KARACHI:

With Aleem Dar becoming the first ever umpire from not only Pakistan but also Asia to officiate in 100 Tests, compatriot Ahsan Raza commented that it would be impossible for any umpire of the country to come close to the standards set by the veteran.

Dar’s 100th appearance in the longest format of cricket came in the second Test between South Africa and England on Saturday.

The former first-class umpire only took up umpiring after being dejected as a cricketer when he realised that he would not be able to reach the top, hardly knowing that the gamble he was taking would turn into a jackpot courtesy his sheer dedication and positive approach.

Apart from him, there are only two umpires who have covered 100 or more Tests in history of the game: West Indian Steve Bucknor (128 matches) and South African Rudi Koertzon (108 Tests).

“Dar is the pride of Pakistan who has been a great ambassador for the country wherever he went,” Raza told The Express Tribune. “I don’t have words to sum up his marathon effort because when you talk about 100 Tests, it’s unbelievable. Personally, I don’t think that any other Pakistani, including me, would be able to achieve even half of what Dar has achieved.

He added, “I would urge the government and the Pakistan Cricket Board [PCB] to facilitate Dar as much as they can.”

Raza, who was injured in the deadly attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009, also enjoys a good reputation in the cricketing fraternity.

He revealed that it was Dar who inspired him to achieve great things, and that he remains his idol as well. “Dar is a complete role model not just for us but for anyone, even the cricketers,” said Raza.

“He leads a disciplined life and remains focus on achieving his goals. I haven’t seen anyone else who maintains such a precise balance between his professional and personal duties as he does.”

As a player, Dar played 17 first-class matches for Allied Bank, Lahore, Gujranwala and Pakistan Railways, while he also appeared in 18 List A matches.

Dar has hardly ever given cause for criticism apart from a mistake in the 2007 World Cup final between Australia and Sri Lanka, where he misinterpreted the Bad Light laws of the game.

He went on to complete a hat-trick of ICC Umpire of the Year nominations from 2009 to 2011.

Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq was also full of praise for Dar. “His consistency and accuracy as an umpire have simply been exceptional for all these years,” said Misbah.

“An outstanding career like his cannot be described in words, but we all are really proud of what he has done for Pakistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2016.

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