KARACHI, April 19: Former Pakistan Test and One-day International (ODI) umpire Mohammad Saleem Badar on Friday bade farewell to domestic circuit as he would turn 60 next month.

Saleem, a veteran umpire who made his first-class debut in 1978, would be retiring after turning 60 in May as per the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regulations.

He was presented a cheque of Rs1 million on his retirement as per the policy of PCB. Director General PCB Javed Miandad presented the cheque.

“It was a great honour to supervise in four Asia Cups, five Test matches and 29 ODIs,” Saleem told reporters at the National Stadium where he was serving as a television umpire in the final of President’s Cup between SNGPL and Wapda.

“I always enjoyed my job as an umpire and served the game to the best of my abilities,” he commented.

He said late Test umpire Shujauddin and Mahboob Shah motivated him to take up umpiring and were inspirational force in his success.

Saleem described his debut Test between Pakistan and Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore as his most memorable match.

During his 35-year association with domestic cricket as umpire, Saleem officiated in in 272 first-class games and also supervised in the Commonwealth Games cricket.—APP