Aleem overlooked as ICC names officials for semi-finals
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KARACHI: Richard Kettleborough of England and Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup winner Kumar Dharmasena, two umpires who have been at the top of their profession during the ongoing tournament so far, were nominated on Saturday to stand as the on-field officials the Australia-India semi-final in Sydney next Thursday.
According to a media release of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Marais Erasmus of South Africa will be the TV umpire with former England Test spinner Richard Illingworth acting as the fourth umpire.
The second semi-final at the Sydney Cricket Ground will be supervised by ICC chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle, the ex-Sri Lankan skipper.
The first semi-final, which will see New Zealand play South Africa, at the Eden Park in Auckland on Tuesday will have former England wicket-keeper Ian Gould and Rod Tucker of Australia as the on-field umpires; Nigel Llong of England has been named to monitor the TV replays with Australia’s Bruce Oxenford the fourth umpire and ex-Australian batsman and 1987 World Cup winner David Boon as the match referee.
The ICC will announce the appointments for the March 29 final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after the Sydney semi-final.
Pakistan’s Aleem Dar one of the finest adjudicators in the international game who had stood as on-field umpire in the finals of the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, is a surprise omission for the last-four postings. Usually, the ICC has a tendency to pick match officials for the title-decider from the panel supervising the semi-finals.
The 2007 final between Australia and Sri Lanka at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown (Barbados) was supervised by Aleem, Steve Bucknor of West Indies as on-field umpires with South Africa’s Rudi Koertzen as the TV replays’ official after all them officiated in the semi-finals.
Similarly, the 2011 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium was played under the supervision of Aleem and Australia’s Simon Taufel as the on-field match officials and Gould behind the TV monitor after the trio had officiated in the semi-finals.
So there is every possibility that Pakistan won’t have any representation in the final if Aleem, who has stood in 171 One-day Internationals, is overlooked this time.
Published in Dawn March 22nd , 2015
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Comments (63) Closed
Mar 22, 2015 11:35am
He is a very good umpire with an excellent record.
Everyone does mistakes as umpire, as it's a very tough and demanding task.
Very disappointing and immature comment by ICC president Kamal though, Bang lost by more than 100 runs and it wasn't a close match by any chance, which proves that this umpiring decision wasn't the turning point.
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Mar 22, 2015 11:54am
Is it because he was officiating the match between India and Bangladesh which president of ICC claims to be fixed? Otherwise Aleem if not the best, is one of the top three ICC umpire. By not giving Aleem a match, ICC has strengthened Bangladesh's claims.
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Mar 22, 2015 12:06pm
we will miss Aleem, though at times we did not agree with his decisions, but a human is a human, so we accepted him.
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Mar 22, 2015 12:09pm
He was overlooked because of immature and fool bangladeshis protests.
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Mar 22, 2015 12:12pm
@Ravi I am sorry: any, even small mis-decision, can have an impact on even the most lopsided game.
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Mar 22, 2015 12:14pm
The ICC Chairman's comment was purely to play up to locals, which was followed by the Bangladesh PM. It is a disgrace for politicians and office holders to pipe in to subdue local rowdy protests and create bad taste.
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Mar 22, 2015 12:14pm
Reason for this decision is probably onlt to make Kamal happy, otherwise there were a number of bad decisions in whole cup by the umpires that are appointed to stand in Semis. Shame.
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Mar 22, 2015 12:25pm
Great umpire. ICC has not done right thing by overlooking Mr.Aleem.
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Mar 22, 2015 01:38pm
It is Aleem Daars recent errors that may have caused his down grading. Aleem Daar should study the glaring obvious mistakes he made and work towards improving the high standards he set up for himself. Good luck in the future.
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Mar 22, 2015 02:02pm
He is being rested for the final. Aleem Dar and Billy Bowden are best. BTW, cricket is a gentlemen's game, it should not have umpires. Let us have one experimental game without umpires and test the integrities of the players.
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Mar 22, 2015 02:08pm
Good
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Mar 22, 2015 02:27pm
India should support Alim Darr by giving him a good opportunity in IPL
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Mar 22, 2015 02:53pm
Aleem is a Pakistani and the ICC has probably excluded him from umpiring a semi-final in which India, the arch-rival of Pakistan is playing. That might be due to India's apprehensions against a Pakistani being extra-vigilant against India.
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Mar 22, 2015 02:57pm
Aleem will umpire the final of ICC WC. Just wait and watch .
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Mar 22, 2015 03:26pm
I started believing Indians are less hostile towards Pakistan as compared to Bangladeshi public.
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Mar 22, 2015 04:04pm
@M.Saeed ...Aleem Dar and Richard Kettlebrough are regarded as best umpires. we would have loved to see Aleem Dar umpiring in Australia semi final clash
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Mar 22, 2015 04:32pm
Simon Taufel and Aleem Dar took umpiring to a new level. I hope they have a good reason for dropping Dar. Questioning the integrity of Dar is absolutely stupid. While ICC president is at it, he could also question the decisions that went in favor of Bangladesh, namely Chris Jordan's run out in a close match and Imrul Kayes' catch vs India.
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Mar 22, 2015 04:35pm
@Raj Hundal which planet you come from ?
suggesting match without umpire :-)
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Mar 22, 2015 04:40pm
Looks like true honest men dont have place in today's corruption ridden society.
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Mar 22, 2015 04:45pm
Ignoring Mr Aleem Dar from the semi final official count is not an insult to Pakistan it is for whole of this subcontinent. An umpire of such a high profile who have been associated in last two WC,. We Indians also feel which cannot be expressed in words . A person of very high profile, fairness,sincerity and with numerous qualities is not associated in semi finals , is not very judicious act.
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Mar 22, 2015 05:07pm
Aleem Dar is one of the best umpires in International Cricket. But Umpiring is a thankless job. I would advise Aleem Dar to retire like Simon Taful, the Australian Umpire did.
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Mar 22, 2015 05:10pm
It's because of debatable decision against Rohit. An umpire is an umpire like a doctor and we respect Aleem. Unfortunate. I don't think india has any objections. you can also see friendly banter with him by Indian bowlers.
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Mar 22, 2015 05:21pm
aleem's decisions are correct to an extent of human capability......good work
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Mar 22, 2015 05:23pm
He made a bad umpiring decision and he is paying for it. Nothing wrong in that.
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Mar 22, 2015 05:33pm
Reason for exclusion of Mr. Darr is not mentioned. If the same is to satisfy Bangladesh, it is certainly giving wrong signal.
Aleem Darr was a great umpire and had given correct judgments in most of the times. I appreciate his efforts as infield umpire on test and onedayers.
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Mar 22, 2015 05:43pm
those who are commenting against aleem dar and indian cricket team..!! just note down this stat..!! when rohit got no ball or its pre determined no ball india's score was 196 but bangladesh got all out at 193 so those who are commenting against very fine almeen and indian cricket team..!! jus think before comment..!!!
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Mar 22, 2015 05:51pm
@faisal I get the same feeling. As long as the cup stats within the sub-continent I am good. I am rooting for India.
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Mar 22, 2015 05:55pm
He is generally a very good umpire but in recent times he has been involved in certain erroneous application of rules. Like earlier this WC, he and his fellow umpire (who was the decision maker at that time) deprived England's batsman Taylor of his richly deserved century (case of a dead ball resulting in run out). Before that as well there was a farcical case. And then in Quarter Final between India and Bangladesh, he was too eager to call that ball a no ball. This would not have resulted in any change in the outcome, but that was atrocious call regardless.
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Mar 22, 2015 05:55pm
@M.Saeed and what about the Aussies officials in the NZ game? Their rivalry is as fierce as Pak/Ind.
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Mar 22, 2015 06:19pm
ICC should support such high quality and talented umpires like Aleem Dar in the interest of the game.
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Mar 22, 2015 06:23pm
Dar is really a good Umpair.. We will miss him..bad for Asia..
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Mar 22, 2015 06:37pm
He is a very good umpire. He should be selected. But I guess they can select only 2.
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Mar 22, 2015 06:53pm
I am also very surprised when his name is not included for semi final..he is one of d best umipre...
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Mar 22, 2015 07:12pm
Good, anyways he was lucky for India.
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Mar 22, 2015 07:29pm
Aleem will officiate final match,
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Mar 22, 2015 08:18pm
Mr.Dar is one of the finest in the game, he already officiated back to back the last two WC finals let's give the opportunity to someone else
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Mar 22, 2015 08:32pm
Among the top umpires he commits the most errors hence, his omission from the semifinals. He should not stand for the finals too.
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Mar 22, 2015 08:44pm
@M.Saeed Aleem was one of the two on-field umpires in Inv Vs Sri Lanka finals in 2011. Just an FYI.
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Mar 22, 2015 09:12pm
I think ICC would have made him the umpire for the final but just because ICC Bangladeshi President's stupid excuse for their teams heavy defeat hindered this process.
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Mar 22, 2015 09:37pm
He is a great umpire. If it is because of bangla chest beating, it is unfortunate. Bangladeshis have habit of agitating for nothing. To a naked eye in real time scenario it was a no ball. Reaction was so spontaneous. Even if it was a mistake, it was definitely not intentional. ICC needs to kick Kamal out. Such emotional, ignorant and super patriotic people are not fit for international forums. They will only bring cynicism and acromony to the ICC.
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Mar 22, 2015 09:57pm
Aleem Dar should not be selected because he gave a very wrong decision in one of the matched that rendered a Pakistani batsman out whereas the slow motion footage clearly should the batsman was NOT OUT. Even the commentators were of unanimous decision that the batsman was not out and that Aleem Dar has made a grave mistake.
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Mar 22, 2015 09:59pm
@Zak LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL ;-)
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Mar 22, 2015 10:09pm
So What ? Whats a big deal in it if he stands in a match or not under the selection of his employers the ICC ,? What it has got to do with the I
" Implied assertion of sort of bias against a Pakistani ???? " . Its idiotic thinking even to make it a news item with a Blog written over it . Positive reporting has been to report , which officials will stand in the two semi finals . FULL STOP . it looks as if there is a conspiracy theory being hatched out of Absolute No News at all . This is called making a hill of out a mole ..... Come On Media Guys , grow up dudes .
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Mar 22, 2015 10:19pm
One of the finest? Surprise immission? Did we not see his blunder recently. How could he be so incompetent? I am happy that cricketing world has decided to keep him out. He should be suspended for life
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Mar 22, 2015 10:21pm
I and many of my colleagues will be sending very loud protest emails to the ICC Board of Directors and Presidents about our support for Aleem Dar, one of the most professional umpires in the history of cricket.
The ICC has become too politically biased and has no sense of moral conviction if it can't stand on its own merit for making impartial and fair decisions about including Dar in the WC final matches. Where's Brian Lara when we need him ; )
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Mar 22, 2015 10:38pm
why is nobody looking at the fact that he was bitten by a wasp after which he was uneasy.
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Mar 22, 2015 10:51pm
if it has to the with the BD-India match, then shameful. But ICC has little credibility right now with its own officials shenanigans.
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Mar 22, 2015 11:13pm
@Thinker When Cricket got invented, it had no umpires. Many cricketers in modern age do not wait for the finger to go up and they walk voluntarily.
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Mar 22, 2015 11:20pm
Aleem dar made a similar mistake against India vs South Africa where a genuine nick from ABD , caught by Sachin, was given not out. He did not make a referral to third umpire. However no one made much fuss about it.
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Mar 23, 2015 01:42am
@Raj Hundal Good suggestion
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Mar 23, 2015 01:43am
@nation lover appreciate this insight
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Mar 23, 2015 02:03am
@Sunil Singh , ICC has already overlooked Abdur Rauf in reply of indian board ptotest. Even corruption and match fixing still exist all over IPL.
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Mar 23, 2015 02:48am
@M.Saeed,Aleem Dar was standing in the 2011 WC final between SL & India in India.
Aleem Dar is the best in the world and the only one that comes close are Taufel and Erasmus.
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Mar 23, 2015 03:05am
@M.Saeed, By the way, he was allegedly favoured India with his decision. So this statement is contradictory. :-)
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Mar 23, 2015 05:02am
In case if India enters final will it be OK to have the services of Alim Dar as one of the field umpires.
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Mar 23, 2015 06:42am
@M.Saeed
"Aleem is a Pakistani and the ICC has probably excluded him from umpiring a semi-final in which India, the arch-rival of Pakistan is playing. That might be due to India's apprehensions against a Pakistani being extra-vigilant against India."
What kind of rubbish is this? He's one of the most respected umpires in India...
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Mar 23, 2015 07:52am
A good decision after controversial umpiring.
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Mar 23, 2015 09:12am
Very good decision.
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Mar 23, 2015 09:31am
Aleem Dar is the most honest, sincere and best umpire world has produced so far.Hats off to him for his best umpiring qualities.He must be selected as one of the umpires for final world cup match.
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Mar 23, 2015 11:09am
Wrong decision from ICC. This vindicates the stance of Bangladeshis, which is of course wrong. Aleem Dar is the best umpire who never indulged in a controversy. First time he did and was eliminated, which is very wrong. Dharmasena gave out LBW to Smith against Pakistan, when the ball is going leg side clearly. Even Hawk eye confirmed the same. Aleem Dar is far better than Dharmasena and other ICC umpires.
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Mar 23, 2015 11:42am
This is a good step by icc.Some fools who don’t Know anything about cricket are commenting nonsensely.Cricket is totally a psycological game.Chasing 270 is ten time easier than chasing 300.Bangladesh has the capablity to chase down anything under 300 < remember 2012 asia cup when bangladesh chased down 290 against india>.Secondly,Bangladesh’s players were totally broken by the nonsense dicision of Alim dar.So, they could not give their best and only scored 193 which is also better than mighty South Africa’s 170.So, please don’t understimate Bangladesh.They are our brothers and together we can save the gentlemen game from the black hand of india< who is turning the game as a medium of business>
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Mar 23, 2015 05:47pm
when Aleem Dar give that no ball of Rohit Sharma all Bangladeshis says It is fix by India Now he is not selected in semifinals now many Pakistanis will say It is fix by India. ... Confusing...
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Mar 24, 2015 02:26pm
South Africa in wining position .
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