Aleem Dar to quit umpiring after 2024-25 season

Aleem Dar will bring an end to his illustrious umpiring career at the end of Pakistan's ongoing domestic season. His retirement will bring to an end a celebrated career that spanned well over two decades.

In March last year, the Pakistani umpire had stepped down from the ICC's Elite Panel of umpires. However, he was still eligible to officiate in ODIs and T20Is as he was a 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 all set to completely retire from umpiring. He will be hanging up his boots after the ongoing domestic season in Pakistan. While Pakistan have a very busy home season, Aleem Dar is unlikely to remain busy as most of the games are Test matches. In February 2025, Pakistan will be playing an ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa.

That series could be Aleem Dar's last opportunity to stand in an international match. He is likely to retire after officiating in the Pakistan Super League 2025. While the tournament is usually played in February-March, it is likely to take place in May next year because of the Champions Trophy.

"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," said Aleem Dar.

"Throughout my career, I've strived to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, and it has been an honour to work alongside some of the finest match officials 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 that he will be focusing more on his charity foundation after retiring as an umpire. The Pakistani umpire has set up a charity - the Aleem Dar Foundation - to serve patients. The foundation provides a free ambulance service, blood bank, and transfusion for thalassemia patients.

"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," said Dar.

Dar enjoyed a celebrated career as an umpire. No umpire officiated in more Tests and ODIs than him. He officiated in 144 Tests, 222 ODIs as well as 72 T20Is. He officiated in the final of the ODI World Cup 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.