Media Release - 27 April 2007

The management of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) congratulates Umpire Aleem Dar on his nomination for umpiring the ICC World Cup 2007 Final to be played on April 28, 2007 between Australia and Sri Lanka.

This is the second time in the history of cricket that a Pakistani umpire would stand in the final of a World Cup. Previously Mr Mehboob Shah supervised the 1987 World Cup Final in Calcutta.

This nomination is a mere recognition of Aleem Dar’s remarkable skills as one of the best umpires of modern day cricket in the world. Within a year of his debut as a One Day International umpire in 2000 in a match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Gujranwala, Aleem Dar was elevated to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Elite Panel of Umpires that consists of only 9 top umpires from the cricketing world.

PCB feels great pride at this occasion. Chairman PCB Dr Nasim Ashraf who is also presently in the Caribbean has passed on his appreciation and acknowledgement to Aleem Dar for his remarkable achievement. He said that he always believed in Aleem’s extraordinary capabilities and marvelous work.

The management of the Board believes that under the supervision of Umpires Manager Khizar Hayat, PCB would see more shining stars like Aleem Dar in the future.

Aleem Dar’s excellence in his field will set precedence and be a source of motivation for others to emulate him.

We wish him the best of luck in future and hope for his forever success.

Media Department

(Article: Copyright © 2007 Pakistan Cricket Board)