Is Umpire Aleem Dar Biased in His Umpiring Decisions?
Aleem Dar, a seasoned cricket umpire and widely recognized for his extensive experience and professional demeanor, has been a prominent figure in the sport. Despite occasional criticisms from players and fans, there is little evidence to support the notion that he is biased in his umpiring. However, some viewers and spectators are questioning his judgment, particularly during recent tours involving England and New Zealand.
Challenging the Perceptions of Fairness in Umpiring
Critiques and questions about umpiring decisions often arise due to the emotional intensity and high stakes of a live match. Umpires face immense pressure to make accurate decisions, which can be highly sensitive and subjective. Even the most respected figures in the officiating world sometimes come under scrutiny. For instance, during the tours of England and New Zealand to Pakistan, some have raised concerns about the impartiality of Dar's calls.
Aleem Dar's Decisions During Recent Tours
1. Decision in the Second ODI against New Zealand: During a One Day International (ODI) match between New Zealand and Pakistan in January, well-known cricket match umpire Aleem Dar faced criticism for his decision regarding a stumping appeal. Initially, the 2nd and 3rd umpires did not signal that the appeal was valid. In a surprising turn of events, however, Dar ordered a third umpire review, ultimately leading to a referral and a declaration of the batter being out. This decision was seen as favoring the home team, Pakistan, despite previously dismissing similar appeals.
2. Incident in 2019 World Cup: Dar's controversial actions during the 2019 World Cup were a notable point of debate. In a match between India and Afghanistan, which was a group stage game, Dar gave two LBW (Leg Before Wicket) calls against India, a decision that was eventually overturned by the Decision Review System (DRS). Additionally, during Afghanistan's innings, questions were raised about his reluctance to call LBWs, which favored Afghanistan. Dar's umpiring in that match was criticized for appearing biased, as the close calls were consistently going in favor of the Afghanistan team.
3. Decision in England's Match: Another controversial incident occurred during the England series with Pakistan. In one of the matches, Dar did not give out Jason Roy, which was particularly controversial considering the England team's slow start. Even though Roy was dubiously caught behind, Dhoni did not choose to review the decision, leading to further accusations of bias. This incident highlighted Dar's decisions and their perceived impact on the outcome of the match.
Revisiting a Controversial Decision from 2007
A significant controversy surrounding Dar involves a match in 2007 between South Africa and the Pakistan team. In this game, Aleem Dar made a decision that is widely considered one of the most controversial in his career. Aleem Dar ruled AB De Villiers 'not out' on a caught at 1st slip attempt with a strong edge, which some critics argue was a biased decision. The edge was so thick that, had the ball hit the pad, it would have gone to the slips in a faster manner. The decision is particularly contentious because traditional bats are softer than cricket pads, raising further doubts about the quality of the decision. References to this viral video on YouTube highlight the perception of bias and its impact.
Conclusion: While Aleem Dar's reputation as a professional and respected umpire is well-established, there are instances where his decisions have raised questions about their fairness. These moments of controversy underline the need for impartiality and transparency in the officiating of cricket matches. As the sport continues to evolve, ensuring fair and consistent decisions becomes increasingly crucial to maintain the integrity of one of the world's most popular sports.