Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for selecting umpire Aleem Dar for the National Selection Committee. The revamped panel also includes former Test cricketers Aaqib Javed and Azhar Ali, along with cricket analyst Hasan Cheema.
In his official YouTube video, Ali questioned the decision to appoint Dar, highlighting that the role is typically reserved for former players and coaches.He suggested adding a match referee and media representative to the panel if an umpire could be included.
“This is an absolutely surprising decision,” Ali stated. “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.”Aleem Dar holds the record for officiating the most international matches (448) and announced plans to retire after Pakistan’s 2024-25 domestic season.
The formation of the new selection committee follows Pakistan’s innings defeat to England in the first Test in Multan. The panel will now select the squad for the remaining two matches of the series.