ICC withdraws Aleem Dar from India-South Africa series following Shiv Sena threat

ICC feels Aleem Dar would not be able to perform well in the wake of threats issued by the Shiv Sena

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar has been withdrawn from the ongoing ODI series following threats from the Shiv Sena, Times of India reports. The sport’s governing body made the decision as they feel Dar would not be able to perform to the best of his abilities under the present circumstances.

Dar had officiated in the opening three ODIs between India and South Africa and was set to officiate in the remaining two matches of the series at Chennai and Mumbai as well.

But in the aftermath of protests by Shiv Sena earlier on Monday, which forced the meeting scheduled between Shashank Manohar, the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shaharyar Khan to discuss the future of the India-Pakistan series scheduled for December in the UAE to be called off, ICC felt it was better to be on the safer side, especially with the final ODI being played at Mumbai.

The Shiv Sena, a partner in a ruling coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra, opposes any dealings with Pakistan citing the 2008 terror attacks which India blamed on militants from across the border.

"Under the present circumstances, it will be unreasonable to expect from Aleem that he will be able to perform his duties to the best of his abilities. As such, he has been withdrawn and his replacement will be announced in due course," an ICC spokesman said.

The Shiv Sena protests have resulted in far-reaching consequences with BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur confirming that official talks between the BCCI and PCB have been cancelled for now.

"Officially there is no meeting scheduled in New Delhi. If the talks happen, they will take place in Mumbai at the BCCI headquarters. The BCCI and PCB have some outstanding issues and the PCB chief wanted to meet the BCCI president to discuss those things but those have been cancelled now,” Thakur said.

Former Pakistan cricketer and current President of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Zaheer Abbas, Zaheer Abbas, had said in the aftermath of the protests that Pakistani cricketers might boycott the 2016 World T20 to be held in India due to security concerns.

"Pakistan and India cricket authorities must work it out, otherwise I fear the Pakistan players could also refuse to tour India for the upcoming World T20 Cup, citing security concerns," Abbas told a news channel. "I don't know what the environment will be when the World T20 is held in India but if this situation persists, obviously there will be extra pressure on our players."