Aleem Dar Surpassess Rudi Koertzen To Become Cricket’s Most Experienced Umpire
Jan 2, 2017 at 4:48 PM
It’s 2017, and the first cricketing record of this year has already been broken. Aleem Dar, one of the officiators in ICC’s elite umpiring list has made his way into history books by standing in the most number of International matches on Monday.
The Pakistani broke South Africa’s Rudi Koertzen’s record of 331 matches by taking the field in the second Test match between Sri Lanka and South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. He is currently supervising in his 332nd match (109 Tests, 182 ODI’s, and 41 T20Is) and with his reputation of being accurate with his decisions, he is likely to make a new record of officiating in hundred more matches before taking up a call in his career.
Speaking to Express News, Aleem said he is delighted to be a part of history and would thank everyone who stood by his side throughout his career.
“It is a great honour for me and I would like to thank Allah as well as my family and friends, who have always supported me.”
Umpiring wasn’t his first choice profession as Dar started as cricketer playing for Allied Bank, Gujranwala Cricket Association. After his retirement as a player in first-class cricket, Dar gained prominence as one of the leading umpires in the world of cricket after making his debut in a One Day International match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Gujranwala on February 16, 2000.
Not only this, Aleem has been bestowed as the ICC Umpire of the Year for three consecutive years in 2009, 2010 and 2011.