Aleem Dar Resigns from Pakistan Selection Committee Following T20 World Cup Disappointment

Former elite cricket umpire Aleem Dar has resigned from his position on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee in the wake of the national team’s underwhelming performance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The resignation marks a swift response to the team’s failure to advance beyond the Super Eights stage of the tournament.

Pakistan’s World Cup Performance and Fallout

Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, extending a streak of underperformance in major international tournaments. This marks the fourth consecutive international tournament where Pakistan has not qualified for the semi-final stage, including the Champions Trophy tournament they hosted previously.

Despite initial group stage victories against the United States, Namibia, and the Netherlands, Pakistan suffered a defeat to India and ultimately fell short of qualification after a loss to England and a washed-out match against Fresh Zealand.

Financial Penalties for the Squad

In response to the disappointing results, the PCB has reportedly imposed a significant financial penalty on the players. Each member of the World Cup squad was fined PKR 5 million (approximately $25,000 USD) for their performance, according to reports from News18. Players were initially warned about potential sanctions following a heavy defeat to India in the group stage.

Aleem Dar’s Role and Resignation

Aleem Dar was appointed to the PCB selection panel in October 2024, bringing a wealth of experience to the role. Prior to this, Dar enjoyed a distinguished career as an umpire, officiating in 145 Test matches – a record number – and 231 One Day Internationals. According to his Wikipedia page, he as well umpired in 72 T20 International matches. He won the David Shepherd Trophy three years in a row from 2009 to 2011.

However, his tenure on the selection committee has been short-lived, with his resignation coming amidst criticism of team selection and overall strategy during the World Cup. Reports suggest that the selection of players like veteran Babar Azam, who were perceived to be out of form, drew scrutiny.

Continued Criticism and Future Outlook

The captaincy of Salman Agha and the team’s batting performance also came under fire. Agha acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating, “We have underperformed in the whole tournament,” and attributing their exit to “failure in decision-making in pressure situations.”

Dar’s resignation is the first major change following the World Cup debacle, signaling a period of potential restructuring within the PCB. Aqib Javed and Asad Shafiq remain on the selection committee, with Usman Hashmi providing data analysis.