Pakistan needs to move on: Dar
Dar, who received the award in Bangalore earlier this year, has officiated in 60 Tests, 136 One-Day Internationals (ODI) and 18 Twenty20s, a record for a Pakistani umpire.
“The players should be given more classes on the ICC’s code of conduct,” Dar told The Express Tribune.
“Pakistan has enormous talent and is the best team in the world. There are good days and bad days, and Pakistan has had a few bad ones but I believe good time is to follow very soon.”
Patriotism flows
The 42-year-old, who was the only Pakistani to win an award in Bangalore, won the David Shepherd Trophy for the second time in a row, beating strong competition from Steve Davis, Tony Hill and five-time ICC Umpire of the Year Simon Taufel.
During the voting period for the award – August 24 last year to August 10 this year – Dar officiated in three Tests, nine Twenty20s and 17 ODIs. He also umpired the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 final between England and Australia.
“I’m very proud to be a Pakistani. I’m what I’m today because of this country. Even when I’m on a foreign tour, my priorities lie with my country and I would like to dedicate this award to the flood victims to suffered heavily during the disaster that struck.”
The umpire, who started his career in 2000 and was included in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2004, was voted as the best by the 10 full-member captains as well as the eight-man Elite Panel of ICC match referees.
“The game is because of the players,” said Dar, who has gained a reputation of being one of the more accurate and error-free umpires.
Respect needed on the field
“Generally my relation with the players has been good but the more important factor is respect. You give them respect and they give that back to you in return.
“But sometimes when lines are crossed on the field I adopt a rigid approach but my first priority is to always settle down things with pleasant manner.”
The umpire also said that Twenty20 cricket was more prone to umpiring mistakes because of the fast pace of the format.
“I give equal value to all forms of cricket, even the under-19 matches that I stand in. But Twenty20 cricket is very fast and the number of mistakes may be high just because of the pace.
“However, technically, I feel comfortable in the format because the ball normally remains new as compared to Test cricket where it gets old and hence more difficult to spot.
‘Technology can help batsmen’
“It’s essential that you concentrate hard all the time and stay cool as well,” said Dar as he ruled out the negative impact of technology at the international level.
“It’s really good to see technology making its way into the game. It’s not an easy job and some things are beyond your control, like a faint nick onto the pad or a bat-pad catch. Technology can help batsmen get a life when they deserve it.”
Published in The Express Tribune, 20th, 2010.
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