Umpire Aleem Dar of Pakistan has been withdrawn by the International Cricket Council from the India-South Africa ODI series. The announcement came after Shiv Sena workers threatened to stop Mr. Dar from officiating in the fifth ODI, to be played in Mumbai on October 25.
Mr. Dar was one of the umpires for the first three ODIs.
The ICC said: “Under the present circumstances, it will be unreasonable to expect from Aleem that he will be able to perform his duties to the best of his abilities. His replacement will be announced in due course.”
PTI adds:
Former Pakistan pacers Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar have pulled out from the commentary team for the fifth and final ODI between India and South Africa in Mumbai in the wake of Shiv Sena’s protest against Indo-Pak bilateral cricket ties.
Talks between BCCI president Shashank Manohar and PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan were cancelled in Mumbai yesterday after Sena workers stormed the BCCI headquarters demanding no interaction with Pakistan on and off the field. Fearing more such protests, Mr. Akram and Mr. Akhtar decided to leave the Star Sports commentary team for the October 25 match.
Mr. Akram’s agent Arsalan Haider confirmed that the pair would commentate during the fourth ODI in Chennai at the MA Chidambaram Stadium and return to Pakistan on October 23, two days before the Mumbai match. “Wasim Akram & Shoaib Akhtar will not be commentating in the last ODI between #IndvsSA on account of potential security hazard,” tweeted Haider.
Write a comment
...
