Mohammad Rizwan (L) & Babar Azam (R) (Source: AFP)
Two of Pakistan cricket’s biggest names in the last 10 years or so, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, have done many great things together in the past. However, both of them seemed to have gone in a different direction ahead of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign.
In fact, the Babar versus Rizwan debate led to a sacrifice that no one saw coming. As reported by Pakistan’s renowned media outlet GeoSuper, the drama led Aleem Dar – one of the members of Pakistan’s selection committee, as well as the former elite panel umpire from the ICC – to resign from his role.
Aleem Dar Sacrifices His Role For Pakistan Selection Drama
The GeoSuper report stated that Aleem Dar wanted Rizwan to be in Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup. While advocating for veteran wicket-keeper batter, Dar also opposed the selection of Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Usman Khan for the mega event.
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However, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson thought otherwise, and during the serious conversation, Misbah-ul-Haq, another fellow PCB selector, remained silent. On the other hand, Aaqib Javed, another important member of the PCB selection committee, supported Hesson’s decision, bringing heat to the discussion.
"Former pacer Aqib Javed is said to have consistently aligned with the views of head coach Mike Hesson during deliberations, while former captain Misbah-ul-Haq remained silent on key decisions," a GeoSuper report read.
Later on, Dar gave up his role from PCB’s selection committee, and now, the real reason behind his decision has also been revealed.
"This perceived lack of robust debate and independent thinking is understood to have left Dar feeling isolated and his contributions undervalued," the report added.
Who Is Aleem Dar?
Not only did Dar umpire across different mega events, but he also played first-class cricket in Pakistan. He won the Umpire Of The Year award for three years on the trot, between 2009 and 2011.
Prior to that, Dar was also nominated for the Umpire Of The Year in 2005 and 2006. Simon Taufel, the legendary figure when it comes to umpiring, defeated him on both occasions before the much-awaited glory came to his life.
Notably, Dar was umpiring in the middle during a solitary India versus Pakistan match in Karachi, back in 2006.
Pakistan Fail To Qualify For T20 World Cup Semi-Finals
While Dar’s decision to bring Rizwan for Pakistan’s glory to the T20 World Cup 2026 is now a different topic altogether, the Salman Agha-led side put up a shambolic performance in Sri Lanka, and Babar Azam was equally responsible there.
The Men in Green could not even reach the semi-finals, with India, England, New Zealand and South Africa entering the knockout stages. They were even embarrassingly beaten by India, making the matter from bad to worse.
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