At the conclusion of Pakistan’s current domestic season, Aleem Dar will officially retire from all umpiring duties, capping a storied 25-year career.
Although Dar had already left the ICC’s Elite Panel of umpires in March 2023, he was still eligible to officiate in ODIs and T20Is as a member of the International Panel. In April of this year, he joined in a T20I match between Pakistan and New Zealand.
The majority of Pakistan’s domestic season is devoted to Test matches, but they also have an ODI tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand in February 2025, which could be Dar’s final opportunity to officiate in an international series.
Dar could bid farewell to the entirety of his career with PSL 2025 which is slated to take place in May 2025.
During his prime, Dar was regarded by many as the world’s greatest umpire and was named Umpire of the Year three times in a row by the ICC, from 2009 to 2011. He was the first Pakistani umpire to make a name for himself in the era of neutral umpires, having been appointed to the ICC’s elite panel upon its founding in 2002. After that, he forged a well-respected and prosperous career, participating in four World Cup finals as well as a record-tying 145 Test matches and 222 ODIs.
“Umpiring has been my life for nearly 25 years and I have cherished the privilege of officiating some of the most iconic matches involving the greatest players of this generation,” Dar said in a statement. “Throughout my career, I’ve strived to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, and it has been an honor to work alongside some of the finest match officials in the world.”
As he has reduced his on-field responsibilities in recent years, Dar has established the Aleem Dar Foundation, a nonprofit that offers free ambulance services, a blood bank, and transfusions to thalassemia sufferers. He plans to spend more time there.
“However, all great journeys must eventually come to an end, and the time has come for me to focus fully on my social and charity work. My hospital project and other initiatives are very close to my heart and require my full devotion and attention.”
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