Former Cricketer Calls Decision “Terrible,” Questions Committee Composition

Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has publicly criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its decision to appoint veteran umpire Aleem Dar to the newly formed National Selection Committee.

The panel, unveiled in the wake of Pakistan’s recent Test defeat to England, also includes former Test players Asad Shafiq, Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali, and cricket analyst Hasan Cheema.

In a scathing commentary, Ali expressed his dismay at the inclusion of an umpire in a role traditionally reserved for players and strategists, describing it as a “terrible decision.”

He suggested that Aleem Dar’s expertise as an umpire, though highly respected, does not align with the responsibilities of selecting national cricket talent.

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“Aleem Dar was an excellent umpire and a great person, but he doesn’t belong in the selection committee. There is silence at the moment, but there will be an uproar in the coming days. The PCB might as well add a match referee and a media representative too,” Basit Ali remarked sarcastically.

Aleem Dar’s umpiring legacy

Aleem Dar, who holds the record for officiating 448 international matches—more than any other umpire in history—recently announced his intention to retire from umpiring after Pakistan’s 2024-25 domestic cricket season.

His vast experience in international cricket has been lauded, but Ali’s comments highlight skepticism about whether umpiring credentials translate effectively into selection roles.

Committee faces scrutiny

The formation of the new selection committee follows Pakistan’s defeat to England in the first Test of the series in Multan, a result that has exacerbated ongoing concerns about the national team’s performance. With Pakistan cricket currently facing a period of uncertainty and scrutiny, the decisions of this new selection panel will be under intense observation.

Basit Ali’s pointed criticism adds to the mounting pressure on the PCB to justify the unconventional choice, particularly as the committee plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the national team.

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