In a deeply emotional recounting, Aleem Dar, Pakistan’s most capped cricket umpire, has shared the saddest moment of his life—the death of his seven-month-old daughter, Javeria, which was kept a secret from him during the 2003 World Cup. This revelation came during an interview on a Pakistani television channel, where the 56-year-old retired umpire opened up about the profound impact this loss had on him.
The Decision to Conceal
Dar’s family made the heart-wrenching decision to hide the tragic news from him while he was officiating in the prestigious tournament in South Africa. “It was the start of my career as an ICC panel umpire, and it was a very important assignment for my career,” Dar explained. His family believed that if he learned of his daughter’s passing, he would immediately return home, potentially jeopardizing his burgeoning career.
For nearly a month, Dar remained unaware of his daughter’s death. He eventually learned about it by chance when a man from his hometown of Sialkot offered his condolences in Johannesburg. “It was a big shock to me at that time, and I immediately informed the ICC and returned home,” he recalled, visibly shaken by the memory. The moment he received the news, he called his wife, who broke down in tears on the phone.
A Family’s Struggle
Dar’s wife, Noshaba Banu, later shared her perspective on the difficult choice they made. “Our daughter Javeria was very ill since birth. She had epilepsy, and doctors said she would not live long,” she explained. To allow Dar to focus solely on his duties, they decided to keep the tragic news under wraps. However, the secret ultimately became too heavy to bear, leading to its eventual revelation.
Throughout his illustrious career, Aleem Dar officiated in 145 Test matches, 231 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 72 Twenty20 Internationals, spanning from 2000 to 2023. His dedication to the sport and his remarkable ability to handle high-pressure situations have made him a respected figure in the cricketing community.
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