Aleem Dar will end his illustrious refereeing career at the end of the current Pakistan domestic season. His retirement will end a celebrated career that spanned more than two decades.
In March last year, the Pakistani umpire resigned from the ICC Elite Panel of umpires. However, he was still eligible to officiate in ODIs and T20Is as he was part of the International Panel of Umpires. In April this year, he officiated during a T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand.
The 56-year-old is now ready to retire from refereeing completely. He will hang up his boots after the current domestic season in Pakistan. While Pakistan have a busy home season, Aleem Dar is unlikely to stay busy as most of the games are Test matches. In February 2025, Pakistan will play a triple ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa.
That series could be Aleem Dar’s last chance to be in an international match. He is likely to retire after refereeing in the Pakistan Super League 2025. While the tournament is usually played in February-March, it is likely to be held in May next year due to the Champions Trophy.
“Officiating has been my life for almost 25 years and I have appreciated the privilege of refereeing some of the most iconic matches involving the best players of this generation,” said Aleem Dar.
“Throughout my career, I have strived to maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship and it has been an honor to work alongside some of the best referees in the world,” he added.
My hospital project and other initiatives are very close to my heart and require my full devotion and attention – Aleem Dar
Dar said he will focus more on his charitable foundation after retiring as a referee. The Pakistani referee has set up a charity, the Aleem Dar Foundation, to care for the patients. The foundation offers a free ambulance, blood bank and transfusion service for thalassemia patients.
“However, all great journeys must come to an end, and the time has come to focus fully on my social and charitable work. My hospital project and other initiatives are very close to my heart and require my full devotion and attention. Dar said.
Dar enjoyed a celebrated career as a referee. No umpire officiated in more Tests and ODIs than him. He officiated in 144 Tests, 222 ODIs and 72 T20Is. He refereed the ODI World Cup final in 2007 and 2011 and the T20 World Cup in 2010 and 2012. Dar also won the David Shepherd Trophy for Umpire of the Year three times in a row from 2009 to 2011.