KARACHI: Being withdrawn from the ongoing India-South Africa series by the International Cricket Council (ICC) must have been a professional setback for Aleem Dar, but the Elite Panel umpire from Pakistan has good news for his compatriots: He is mulling to set up a specialised umpiring academy to help budding umpires realise their potential.

“I am nearing my retirement but I have plans after that and will try to set up a specialised academy for umpiring in Pakistan,” Dar said in a telephonic interview with Dawn.

“I have been running two cricket academies in Lahore, one in Bahria Town and the other in Jauhar Town, but neither specialises in umpiring.

“I receive calls from umpires asking for help, and I always ask them to meet me at my academies.”

Already celebrated with three consecutive ICC Umpire of the Year awards in 2009, 2010 and 2011, Dar is among the busiest umpires on the international circuit.

Till now, his demanding schedule has kept him from actively planning an umpiring academy, but it is something that is a longer-term objective.

“Because of my busy schedule, whenever I get time, I try to spend it with my family. I will definitely try to pay back the love and respect that the game has given me,” he says.

Dar laments the fact that there are quality umpires coming out of India and Sri Lanka, but Pakistan and Bangladesh have lagged far behind.

“The biggest setback for Pakistan is that international teams are not visiting here. Pakistan is playing their home series in Dubai and only international umpires are travelling there. If teams will visit Pakistan, new umpires will get a chance,” he says.

On the local circuit, new umpires are finding more opportunities, but for the Elite Panel umpire, the issue is one of the system and its institutions.

“The most important thing is that there are no umpiring institutions in the country. Our first class cricketers are not coming to this field of the game.

“There are no facilities. First-class umpires in India are getting four times higher match fee as compared to the Paki­stani first class umpires,” he says.

“I think government should provide these ki­n­ds of faci­lities to boost this profession. This will attract first class cri­c­k­eters and can even attract test cricketers as well.

“Until and unless facilities are improved, I don’t think there will be any drastic changes in the profession,” says the Elite Panel umpire.

Part of the reason why Dar stresses the need for institutions is his personal struggle to get to the top.

The turning point of his umpiring career was the 2003 World Cup. “I didn’t commit a single mistake in that tournament.

ICC appreciated my performance and despite me having an experience of just 12 matches, I stayed there till the semi-final and was the fourth umpire in it. It was a huge achievement for me,” he says.

“Then the ICC told me that since I have a few number of matches under my belt, they’ll give me test status after a year.

My debut test match was between England and Bangladesh in Bangladesh in Oct 2003. I was inducted in the elite panel of umpires after seeing my accurate decision-making, and I am still there,” he says.

Has the PCB been of much help to the budding umpires?

“Umpires still attend courses or workshop twice a year that are conducted by the ICC. In those courses, we have fitness tests, eyesight tests and hearing tests, which are all quite tough. There are no such tests conducted by the PCB, which I believe they should conduct,” emphasised Dar.

“There are training courses in PCB but no hearing, eye or fitness tests for the elite umpires, which I feel are extremely necessary.”

Dar prioritised mental fitness as much as physical fitness to become an elite umpire.

“I have some desi exercises to relax my eyes and for some other aspects; you will definitely will not find these in books,” he said smilingly.

“But I do physical training as well since umpires have to stand for six to eight hours, and that requires serious fitness.

Your neck and back strength are key. The most important aspect for umpiring is being mentally strong. If you are not mentally strong, you cannot survive in this profession,” he says.

Serving the country remains at the top of Dar’s agenda, whatever form it may take in future.

“Being a Pakistani, I always want my country’s name to be announced with my name. I like it when someone announces ‘Aleem Dar from Pakistan.’ I feel extremely proud when Pakistan’s name is called with my name. I want to perform well to make Pakistan and my people proud. It is always a pleasure.”

Note: This interview with Aleem Dar was taken prior to the on-going India-South Africa series

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2015

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