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When Aleem Dar Suspected Tendulkar And India Of Cheating With Brain-Fade Umpiring

Umpire Aleem Dar (R) and AB de Villiers (L) [Youtube]Umpire Aleem Dar (R) and AB de Villiers (L) [Youtube]

Cricket is packed with unforgettable moments, but one incident really stands out for its sheer drama: when Sachin Tendulkar caught the ball, yet umpire Aleem Dar ruled it not out. It was in 2007 during an ODI match between India and South Africa in Belfast that stirred up quite a buzz. The atmosphere was already charged, with Indian bowlers swiftly dispatching the South African openers.

Zaheer Khan was on fire; he bowled a delivery that was outside the off-stump, and South Africa star batter AB de Villiers edged it ever so slightly. The ball sailed straight to Sachin Tendulkar, who stood confidently at first slip and grabbed it.

The Indian players thought they had just taken a crucial wicket. After all, it seemed like a straightforward catch. However, De Villiers didn’t walk back to the hut. He instead stayed at the crease and waited for the umpire's call. 

Aleem Dar Declared AB de Villiers Not Out Despite A Clear Deflection

Umpire Aleem Dar was faced with a crucial decision. However, he didn’t see the edge or the ball’s movement. To the dismay of the team India and the fans, he declared De Villiers not out. The Indian players were left in disbelief, having thought they had clinched a significant breakthrough. The moment was a mix of confusion and frustration as the celebrations quickly turned to murmurs of discontent.

While most observers, including De Villiers, knew he had edged the ball, he chose not to walk. This decision sparked debates about the spirit of the game. Should a player own up to an edge, or is it the umpire's job to make the call? 

Despite that controversial moment, AB de Villiers didn’t make the most of his second chance. He went on to score just 15 runs before being caught behind by MS Dhoni off Sourav Ganguly’s bowling. 

Aleem Dar Is Set To Retire From Professional Umpiring

Fast forward to today, and Aleem Dar is hanging up his whistle after the ongoing Champions One Day Cup 2024. He officially retired from international umpiring in March 2023 when he was removed from the ICC Elite Panel, but he didn’t step away from the game entirely. Instead, he continued to officiate in various domestic and international matches in Pakistan. However, he has now decided to call it quits after this season.