Aleem Dar sets new record of serving 24 years as 'umpire'

Pakistan’s Aleem Dar has set another record in cricket history after serving a long period of 24 years as an 'umpire'.

It was the start of the 21st century when Gujranwala-born Dar debuted as an umpire in her home town in a Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI match on February 16, 2000 at the age of 32.

Dar supervised his first test match on October 21, 2003, in Dhaka, when Bangladesh were competing against Australia. However, he judged his first T20I match at Dubai Stadium in the Pakistan vs Australia series on May 7, 2009.

The world also recognized Dar’s dedication to his work by nominating him six times in the best umpire category, of which he was titled with three awards.

Alongside supervising 231 ODIs, 145 test matches, and 70 T20Is, Dar demonstrated himself as the world's best player as well, holding a record of playing 551 matches.

He had also served as an umpire in five T20I World Cups, two ICC Champion Trophy, ODI World Cup finals in 2007 and 2011, and Women’s World Cup final in 2009.

He was also the world’s youngest umpire, who supervised World Cups and remained in the top three slots.

Soon after emerging as umpire, the 56-year-old became a part of the international penal and was promoted to elite penal.

In 2010 and 2013, he was honoured with pride of performance and Sitar-e-Imtiaz by the government of Pakistan.

Dar is also supervising an ongoing home series between Pakistan and New Zealand.