Former Pakistan cricketer slams PCB for including Aleem Dar in national selection committee

Former Pakistani batter Basit Ali has openly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its decision to include veteran umpire Aleem Dar in the newly formed National Selection Committee. The revamped panel also features former Test cricketers Asad Shafiq, Aaqib Javed and Azhar Ali, along with cricket analyst Hasan Cheema.

In a strongly worded critique, Ali questioned the logic behind appointing an umpire to a selection role, calling it a "horrible move." Speaking sarcastically, he went on to suggest that the PCB might as well include a match referee and a media person in the committee.

"This is an absolutely surprising decision. It is surprising to me that Aleem Dar has been added to the selection committee. He was a great umpire and is a very good human but he doesn't deserve to be there. Not now, but in the coming days, voices will be raised. If you have kept an umpire in the selection committee, then please add a match referee too along with one person from the media," Ali said.

Aleem Dar, who recently announced his intention to retire from umpiring after Pakistan's 2024-25 domestic season, holds the record for officiating in 448 international matches across all formats — the highest by any umpire in the world.

The National Selection Committee’s announcement follows Pakistan's loss to England in the Test series opener at Multan. This committee will now be responsible for selecting the squad for the remaining two matches of the series.