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Worst umpiring series in history: Martyn reacts to Dar's 2005 Ashes howler

Dar has won the ICC umpire of the year award for three consecutive years from 2009 to 2011

Worst umpiring series in history: Martyn reacts to Dar's 2005 Ashes howler PHOTO: AFP

Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn has termed the 2005 Ashes as the ‘worst umpiring series in history’.

Martyn made the comment, while reacting to a video of a shocking decision by Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar from the aforementioned series.

In the video, Dar adjudged Australian opener Simon Katich out on the delivery of England pacer Steve Harmison, despite the ball clearly pitching outside leg stump.

Katich and the commentators were left surprised by Dar’s howler.

 

Worst umpiring series in history here. Hard to believe when you look back. https://t.co/TGXQ9RHLsB

— Damien Martyn🏏 (@damienmartyn) April 6, 2020

 

However, Martyn didn’t stop there as he continued to berate the Pakistani umpire while interacting with his followers.

 

I know.. So bad you have to laugh

— Damien Martyn🏏 (@damienmartyn) April 6, 2020

 

The former cricketer also didn’t rule out the possibility of match-fixing while replying to one of his followers with "who knows".

 

Who knows?

— Damien Martyn🏏 (@damienmartyn) April 6, 2020

 

Dar has won the International Cricket Council (ICC) umpire of the year award for three consecutive years from 2009 to 2011.

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It must be noted that Australia captain Ricky Ponting was fined 75 per cent of his match fee for bringing the game into disrepute following his second-innings dismissal during the same Ashes Test. Ponting, who was run out by a specialist substitute fielder, approached umpire Aleem Dar, fired angry words at England's fielders and shouted up at the home side's balcony.

Katich was also fined half his fee for showing serious dissent over his dismissal by Harmison.