ICC withdraws Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar from India-South Africa series

The decision comes after extremist Shiv Sena threatened to prevent the umpire from officiating in the series

Following threats from Hindu extremist party Shiv Sena, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced to withdraw Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar from the remaining matches in the ongoing India versus South Africa series.

“Under the present circumstances, it will be unreasonable to expect from Aleem that he will be able to perform his duties to the best of his abilities. As such, he has been withdraw and his replacement will be announced in due course,” a statement quoted the ICC spokesperson as saying.

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Aleem – serving as a member of the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires - had officiated in the first three One-Day Internationals (ODIs). The renowned umpire was also scheduled to serve in the fourth and fifth ODIs in Chennai and Mumbai on 22 and 25 October, respectively.

The organisation made the decision after extremists stormed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) offices in Mumbai and threatened to prevent Dar from umpiring in the fifth ODI.

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A meeting between Pakistan and India’s cricket boards officials was also cancelled following the incident.

Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shahryar Khan and the head of the PCB’s executive committee Najam Sethi had arrived in India to hold talks with BCCI in a bid to finalise the India-Pakistan cricket series in December.