Cricket: DRS gets a thumbs-up from Aleem Dar
Award-winning umpire wants system to be used in every series.
KARACHI:
Three-time International Cricket Council (ICC) Umpire of the Year Aleem Dar has given the Decision Review System (DRS) a thumbs-up, terming it a good addition to the game in the wake of criticism the system has faced.
The DRS has become a controversial topic with high costs and its limited scope drawing criticism from various quarters, notably from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) which has strongly opposed its use. The BCCI, following the Indian team’s tour to England, sparked up the DRS debate particularly focusing on the Hot Spot technology and has also decided to take up the matter at the next ICC meeting.
However, Dar said a consistent use of the DRS would do wonders.
“There’s no issue in using technology,” Dar told The Express Tribune. “It’s a good addition to the game but the umpires should stop thinking about it when making a decision.”
Unhappy with random usage
Dar, who has officiated in 18 Twenty20s, 67 Tests and 146 One-Day Internationals, criticised the random usage of the DRS, saying it should be implemented on a permanent basis in all series.
“The DRS should be applied on a permanent basis. It’s not being used in all series and that affects the umpires’ performance. I believe an inconsistent usage is not good for the game either,” said the Pakistan umpire, who officiated in the Faysal Bank T20 Cup final between Sialkot Stallions and Rawalpindi Rams.
‘Rule changes have added responsibility’
The 43-year-old felt the implementation of new rules, which came in effect from October 1, have added responsibility on the umpires.
The amendments in playing conditions includes two new balls in an innings, redefined period of Powerplays, penalty for a batsman for obstructing the field and a ban on the use of runners among other changes.
Dar said the umpires now needed to be more vigilant.
“I feel my responsibility has increased and we need to be more focused ,” he said before giving the instance of the T20 Cup final which faced a 28-minute delay after Sialkot captain Shoaib Malik objected on the use of a runner by Rawalpindi.
Qaddafi Stadium’s umpires room named after Dar
Recognising the achievements of Dar, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) honoured the award-winning umpire after the T20 Cup final.
The PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt presented a shield and handed out Rs1 million to Dar and named the umpires room at the PCB headquarters after him. Dar expressed the desire to set up an academy for cricketers and umpires, adding that he has asked the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to allot him a ground for the purpose.
Three-time International Cricket Council (ICC) Umpire of the Year Aleem Dar has given the Decision Review System (DRS) a thumbs-up, terming it a good addition to the game in the wake of criticism the system has faced.
The DRS has become a controversial topic with high costs and its limited scope drawing criticism from various quarters, notably from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) which has strongly opposed its use. The BCCI, following the Indian team’s tour to England, sparked up the DRS debate particularly focusing on the Hot Spot technology and has also decided to take up the matter at the next ICC meeting.
However, Dar said a consistent use of the DRS would do wonders.
“There’s no issue in using technology,” Dar told The Express Tribune. “It’s a good addition to the game but the umpires should stop thinking about it when making a decision.”
Unhappy with random usage
Dar, who has officiated in 18 Twenty20s, 67 Tests and 146 One-Day Internationals, criticised the random usage of the DRS, saying it should be implemented on a permanent basis in all series.
“The DRS should be applied on a permanent basis. It’s not being used in all series and that affects the umpires’ performance. I believe an inconsistent usage is not good for the game either,” said the Pakistan umpire, who officiated in the Faysal Bank T20 Cup final between Sialkot Stallions and Rawalpindi Rams.
‘Rule changes have added responsibility’
The 43-year-old felt the implementation of new rules, which came in effect from October 1, have added responsibility on the umpires.
The amendments in playing conditions includes two new balls in an innings, redefined period of Powerplays, penalty for a batsman for obstructing the field and a ban on the use of runners among other changes.
Dar said the umpires now needed to be more vigilant.
“I feel my responsibility has increased and we need to be more focused ,” he said before giving the instance of the T20 Cup final which faced a 28-minute delay after Sialkot captain Shoaib Malik objected on the use of a runner by Rawalpindi.
“The team was allowed a runner because the tournament was played on the previous playing rules. Umpires may face such situations after the rule changes and that’s an increased burden.”
Qaddafi Stadium’s umpires room named after Dar
Recognising the achievements of Dar, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) honoured the award-winning umpire after the T20 Cup final.
The PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt presented a shield and handed out Rs1 million to Dar and named the umpires room at the PCB headquarters after him. Dar expressed the desire to set up an academy for cricketers and umpires, adding that he has asked the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to allot him a ground for the purpose.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2011.