by Haroon Khan (16th September 2011)

While the ICC awards proved relatively fruitless for Pakistani cricketers after a taxing year of rebuilding, it was yet again left to Aleem Dar to fly the Pakistani flag in ICC’s annual showcase event.

Aleem, who made his international umpiring debut more than a decade ago, was awarded his third consecutive David Shepherd trophy for the Umpire of the Year at the ICC Awards ceremony in London. A justifiably proud Aleem sent a message to PakPassion.net shortly after receiving the accolade of appreciation for the support and prayer from all his supporters.

A modest servant of the game, Aleem began by giving praise to his lord for bestowing him with such a worthy accomplishment. "I am thankful to Almighty Allah for providing me yet another opportunity to be distinguished among others. I bow my head to Him for conferring this prestigious award on me third time consecutively,” Aleem said.

Aleem’s career has provided Pakistani cricket with a real bright spot in a period of adversity. The 1st Test in the ongoing Sri Lanka – Australia series was Aleem’s 240th officiated international match in a career which spans 11 years and includes the last two World Cups. It is a career which has made his unanimously regarded as one of the best umpires in international cricket from cricketers as well as his peers.

The David Shepherd trophy is decided by votes from the 10 Full Member captains as well as the Elite Panel of ICC umpires and Aleem was particularly humbled by the show of admiration from his colleagues. “I have a great regard to the jury, the members who voted for my first position and highly obliged to ICC for providing me ample opportunities to prove my worth as a professional cricket umpire.”

A likeable umpire who also had a short first class career as a middle order batsmen and legspinner, Aleem paid tribute to his expired parents, “I am also thankful to my late parents who always bestowed their prayers on me and must be happy in heavens to see me achieving this great goal.” With the demanding life of an international umpire, Aleem further acknowledged his family who have had to bare the full brunt of him being away from home for large portions of the year. “I am equally indebted to my wife, my children and my family who always sacrificed for my struggle to uphold the standard of my performance in the cricketing field as an umpire.”

Aleem, who was also last year honoured with the President’s Award for the Pride of Performance for his service to Pakistan, was gratified to the nation and the PCB for their prayers and backing. “I owe a lot of thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board, my whole nation, who prayed for my success and especially to my friends, fans and national media, who have always wished me well and supported me so that I can achieve a good level of performance.”

It certainly has been an astonishingly top-level performance for the Jhang born umpire. In the time of UDRS (Umpire Decision Review System) where an umpires decision is no longer final and can be overruled through the use of technology, it is worth noting that during the recently held World Cup in the subcontinent, all 15 of the appeals against Aleem Dar’s decision were struck down.

Aleem, who still trails 5-time winner of the award Simon Taufel, was hopeful that he would be able to maintain the high level of umpiring he has shown for future years and continue to bring pride and joy to the nation. “May Allah contiguously bestow upon me and my family, his choicest blessings in all the times to come and provide me health and strength to maintain the high standards of performances in the field of cricket and bring glimpses of happiness for my nation in the time of trouble and strain."