BAN vs IRE: Aleem Dar gets guard of honour after officiating in his last Test

Veteran umpire Aleem Dar was given a guard of honour as he walked off from the pitch after officiating in his last Test played between Bangladesh and Ireland on Friday, April 7 at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. Bangladesh emerged victorious as they defeated Ireland by seven wickets in the first-ever Test being played between the two teams.

The 54-year-old umpire recently stepped down from the International Cricket Council (ICC) Elite Panel of Umpires after serving for 19 years. Players from both the teams and other match officials were seen giving the Pakistan umpire a guard of honour after the match ended.

Dar has been a part of ICC’s Elite Panel of Umpires since it was formed in 2002 and retired after officiating in a record 439 men’s international matches which includes 145 Tests, 225 ODIs, and 69 T20Is.

Dar was the first umpire from his country to be part of the Elite Panel and was also awarded the prestigious David Shepherd Trophy for being selected as the ICC Umpire of the Year for three consecutive years in 2009, 2010, and 2011. He has been a part of five 50-over World Cups and seven T20 World Cups. 

The legendary umpire has also officiated in two ODI World Cup finals in 2007 and 2011 and two T20 World Cup finals in 2010 and 2012 in his illustrious career.

Coming back to the Day 4 of the Test match between Bangladesh and Ireland, Ireland continued their innings from 286/8 with Andy McBrine 71* and Graham Hume 9* at the crease.

Bangladesh defeated Ireland by seven wickets

Bangladesh didn’t take much time to bundle out Ireland and dismissed them for 292 in the second innings with Ebadot Hossain picking up both wickets. Taijul Islam was once again the pick of the bowlers for the hosts as he finished with figures of 4/90 in 42 overs after picking up a five-wicket haul in the first innings.

Bangladesh were set a target of 138 in the fourth innings which they comfortably chased down losing just three wickets. Mushfiqur Rahim once again finished as the top scorer with his knock of 51* off 48. He scored a brilliant 126 in the first innings to help his side post a total of 369. As a result, Bangladesh won the Test by seven wickets, and Mushfiqur Rahim was awarded Player of the Match.