We all dream of following in the footsteps of our idols, don’t we?
Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar has registered his name in the record books as he walked on to the field to officiate his 129th Test match between Australia and New Zealand at Perth. Dar made his international debut in 2000 in a home ODI against Sri Lanka.
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The 51-year-old official has gone past the record of his idol, Steve Bucknor, who umpired in 128 matches in his career. The legendary umpire has been an inspiration for those aspiring to take the field as an umpire or have been umpiring at the biggest stage like Aleem Dar.
Most International matches as umpire. #Cricket
Tests
129 – AleemDar
128 – BucknorODIs
209 – Koertzen
207 – AleemDarT20Is
47 – AhsanRaza
46 – AleemDarInternationals
382 – AleemDar
331 – Koertzen— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) December 12, 2019
Dar first umpired in a Test match in Bangladesh when England toured the country in 2003. Not only this, Dar only needs two more ODIs to break former South African umpire, Rudi Koertzen’s record of 209 matches. He has also officiated 46 T20Is in his career which spans over 2 decades.
Talking to the ICC before the match, Dar reflected on his career, saying:
This is one milestone I had never thought of when I began my umpiring career. It is a truly amazing feeling and a high point of my life when I take the field here in Australia. Steve Bucknor was my idol and it is only sinking in now that I will have officiated in more Test matches than him.
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Reflecting on the good memories, Dar said that he has “had the good fortune of watching some memorable matches and achievements like Brian Lara’s Test knock of 400 not out and South Africa’s epic chase of Australia’s score of 434.”
What are your thoughts on Aleem Dar’s achievement? Let us know in the comments.
A remarkable career and feat indeed. Aleem Dar is hugely respected by the cricket fraternity.
Greatest nan of cricket Aleem Dar is the most honest epire in the world of cricket. We proud from his performance beibg a Pakistani