Pakistan’s Aleem Dar, by standing in his 332nd international match during the second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka, became the most experienced umpire in the history of the game.
Dar overtook former South African umpire Rudi Koertzen who stood in 331 international matches.
Dar has stood in 109 Tests, 182 ODIs and 41 T20Is during an international career that has lasted for almost 17 years now. He has also played a role as a TV umpire in 73 international games.
The ongoing match is the 48-year-old’s 109th Test as an on-field umpire, second only to West Indies’ Steve Bucknor – who officiated in 128 matches.
Dar’s illustrious career has seen him officiate in two ICC World Cup finals and two ICC World T20 finals. He won the David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year in three successive years from 2009 to 2011.
Here are the five umpires who have stood as on-field umpires in most international matches.
Rank | Umpire | Team | Matches |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Aleem Dar | Pakistan | 332 |
2 | Rudi Koertzen | South Africa | 331 |
3 | Steve Bucknor | West Indies | 309 |
4 | Billy Bowden | New Zealand | 308 |
5 | Simon Taufel | Australia | 282 |