In a heart-wrenching revelation, Pakistan’s most capped cricket umpire, Aleem Dar, shared the saddest moment of his life—learning about the death of his seven-month-old daughter nearly a month after it happened.
The 56-year-old recounted on a TV channel that his wife and his family didn’t tell him about the death of his infant daughter while he was umpiring in the 2003 World Cup.
Dar's tragedy unfolded during the 2003 Cup, a pivotal time in his career as an ICC panel umpire.
He was in South Africa, fully engrossed in his duties on the world stage, unaware of the personal tragedy that had struck back home in Pakistan. His wife and family made the difficult decision to withhold the devastating news of his daughter's death, fearing it would force him to abandon his assignment and return home immediately.
Dar explained, "It was the start of my career as an ICC panel umpire, and it was a very important assignment for my career. They knew if I came to know about my daughter's demise, I would return home immediately."
The truth came to light by chance nearly a month later. While still in Johannesburg, Dar was approached by a Pakistani man from his hometown, Sialkot, who, unaware that Dar had not been informed, offered his condolences.
The unexpected news shocked Dar, who immediately contacted his wife, only to hear her break down in tears over the phone.
This moment of anguish marked the beginning of a difficult journey for Dar, who then informed the ICC of the situation and promptly returned to Pakistan.
Dar further revealed that his father had taken extraordinary measures to protect him from the heartbreaking news, going as far as instructing media friends not to report the story.
This careful orchestration ensured that Dar could continue his work during one of the most critical periods of his professional life.
The umpire’s candid sharing of this personal tragedy offers a poignant glimpse into the sacrifices and challenges that often go unnoticed behind the scenes of a successful career.
Despite the immense grief, Aleem Dar continued to excel in his profession, eventually becoming one of the most respected and celebrated umpires in the world.
This story, however, serves as a reminder of the deep personal costs that sometimes accompany public success.