Veteran Pakistani official Aleem Dar on Thursday stepped down from the ICC's Elite Panel of Umpires as two new faces joined the team. South Africa's Adrian Holdstock and Pakistan's Ahsan Raza have been added to the ICC's Elite Panel of Umpires for 2023-24.
The 54-year-old Dar was the first Pakistani to become a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2004.
He holds the record for umpiring in the most number of international matches and is a three-time winner of the David Shepherd Trophy which is given by the ICC to the best umpire in a calendar year.
Dar was the umpire in a record 144 Tests, 222 ODIs and 69 T20Is. He made his international debut in 2000 and quickly rose through the ranks, with his sound decisions in matches earning him acclaim from the players and fans.
The rise of Aleem Dar
Dar was appointed to the ICC International Panel of Umpires in 2002 and officiated at the 2003 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
Dar has also stood in some major international matches, officiating in the 2006 ICC Men's Champions Trophy final, the 2007 and 2011 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup finals and the 2010 and 2012 ICC Men's T20 World Cup finals.
Aleem Dar ends 19-year journey
Dar was voted the ICC Umpire of the Year for three consecutive years between 2009 and 2011.
"It has been a long journey, but I have enjoyed every bit of it. I have had the pleasure and honour of umpiring the world over and what I have achieved is something I did not even dream of when I started in the profession.
"Though I am still keen to continue as an international umpire, I felt it was now the right time, after 19 years on the road to step away from the Elite panel and provide an opportunity to someone from the International Panel. My message to umpires the world over is to work hard, maintain discipline and never stop learning," Dar said after stepping down.
