Aleem Dar Resigns: Crisis in Pakistan Cricket Deepens Following World Cup Debacle
LAHORE — The turmoil within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has intensified with reports that senior selection committee member and former ICC Elite Panel umpire Aleem Dar has tendered his resignation. The move comes in the wake of the national team’s disastrous campaign in the T20 World Cup, marked by a premature group-stage exit and allegations of internal discord regarding squad selection.
Selection Dispute: The Core Conflict
According to sources close to the PCB, Dar’s decision to step down stems from significant disagreements with the team management regarding the authority over squad composition. The veteran official reportedly felt marginalized during the selection process for the marquee tournament.
Reports indicate that Dar strongly opposed the inclusion of senior players Babar Azam and Shadab Khan based on their recent form. Sources cited by news agencies suggest Dar advocated for merit-based selection, resisting pressure from the coaching staff to retain the duo despite performance concerns.
Key Disagreements in Selection Meetings
- Babar Azam & Shadab Khan: Dar reportedly resisted their automatic inclusion without recent performance metrics to back it up.
- Wicketkeeper Dilemma: Dar championed the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan over Usman Khan, citing the need for experience in high-pressure ICC tournaments.
- Coaching Authority: The resignation is linked to concerns that the Head Coach was granted excessive leverage in selection matters, overriding the committee’s recommendations.
World Cup Performance Analysis
The resignation follows a chaotic performance by the Men in Green. Contrary to high expectations, Pakistan failed to advance to the knockout stages. The campaign was marred by a shock defeat to the United States and a critical loss to arch-rivals India in the Group Stage. While the team secured a victory against Ireland in their final fixture, it was insufficient to qualify for the Super Eight phase.
Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 Record
| Opponent | Result | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Lost (Super Over) | Group Stage |
| India | Lost by 6 runs | Group Stage |
| Canada | Won by 7 wickets | Group Stage |
| Ireland | Won by 3 wickets | Group Stage |
Financial Penalties and Government Scrutiny
The fallout has extended beyond resignations. The PCB faces pressure from government officials to overhaul the cricket infrastructure. Reports from The Express Tribune indicate that the board has imposed strict financial penalties, reportedly fining players PKR 50 lakh each for the poor showing.
PCB officials have reportedly conveyed a stern message to the squad, signaling an end to the “pampering” culture. Future financial incentives and central contracts will now be strictly performance-linked.
Dar serves on the selection committee alongside former Test cricketers Aaqib Javed and Asad Shafiq. His resignation, which is yet to be formally accepted by the PCB chairman, signals a potential restructuring of the board’s cricketing operations team.