Aleem Dar, voted the best umpire of the year by the ICC, has backed the use of Decision Review System in all the international series but advised the umpires to rely more on their own judgement while making decisions.
Dar said DRS is a good addition to the sport and insists it has the potential to do wonders in the future.
The DRS has drawn mixed reactions from the international cricket community with the BCCI against the use of it but PCB supporting it.
“There’s no issue in using technology. It’s a good addition to the game but the umpires should stop thinking about it when making a decision. And instead of being used randomly the system should be enforced on permanent basis in all series,” Dar said.
The critics of the DRS also point out to the high costs involved in its use and the fact that there is no uniformity in its enforcement by the ICC.
Dar, who has officiated in 67 Tests, 146 One-Dayers and 18 Twenty20 Internationals, said technology needed to be used properly.
“The DRS should be applied on a permanent basis. It’s not being used in all series and that affects the umpires’ performance.
I believe an inconsistent usage is not good for the game,” Dar, who supervised any match in Pakistan after nearly two years, said during the national T20 championship.
The 43-year-old felt the implementation of new rules, which came in effect from October 1, have added to the responsibility of the umpires.
The amendments in playing conditions include two new balls in an innings, redefined period of Powerplays, penalty for a batsman for obstructing the field and a ban on the use of runners among other changes.
Dar reported to have said that the umpires now need to be more vigilant.
“I feel my responsibility has increased and we need to be more focused,” Dar told the ‘Express Tribune’ before giving the instance of the T20 Cup final which faced a 28-minute delay after Sialkot captain Shoaib Malik objected on the use of a runner by Rawalpindi.
“The team was allowed a runner because the tournament was played on the previous playing rules. Umpires may face such situations after the rule changes and that’s an increased burden.”
Meanwhile, the Pakistan board has named the umpires room at the Gaddafi stadium after Aleem Dar to pay tributes to his winning the prestigious ICC award for the third time.
PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt also awarded him a cash prize of one million rupees at the final ceremony of the national T20 event.
Dar said he was keen to set up an academy for young players in future and has requested chief minister Shahbaz Sharif to allot him a ground for the purpose.
