Cricket

Pakistan's most experienced umpire, Aleem Dar, has shared the heartbreaking story of how his family concealed the death of his seven-month-old daughter from him during the early stages of his international career in 2003.The 56-year-old umpire recounted on a Pakistani television channel that his wife and family chose not to inform him about the tragic loss while he was officiating in the 2003 World Cup. "It was the beginning of my career as an ICC panel umpire, and it was a crucial assignment for my career," Dar said. "They knew that if I learned about my daughter's passing, I would immediately return home."Dar, who has officiated in 145 Tests, 231 ODIs, and 72 T20 Internationals, said that when he eventually discovered the truth, it was the most devastating moment of his life. "I was kept in the dark for almost a month after her passing, and I only found out by chance in Johannesburg when a Pakistani man from my hometown of Sialkot came to offer his condolences," he said."It was a huge shock to me at that time, and I immediately informed the ICC and returned home," Dar added. He recalled that when he called his wife, she broke down in tears over the phone.Dar's family had strictly instructed the media not to report the news, fearing it would affect his performance on the field. "I came to know later that my father had strictly told the media friends not to print the story," he said.Despite the immense personal tragedy, Dar continued to excel in his umpiring career, earning widespread respect for his integrity and professionalism. He is considered one of the most respected umpires in the world and has officiated in some of the most high-profile matches in cricket history.

Suresh Raina Opens Up on IPL 2020 Withdrawal: Family Tragedy and Bio-Bubble ConcernsChennai Super Kings legend Suresh Raina has shed light on the reasons behind his controversial withdrawal from the IPL 2020 season in the UAE. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Raina had initially traveled to the country with the rest of the players but pulled out before the start of the season, citing personal reasons and concerns about the bio-bubble arrangements.Addressing the rumors surrounding his decision, Raina revealed that he left the bio-bubble to be with his family after a tragic incident in Punjab. "There was bereavement in the family, I went to Punjab. In my uncle's family, there were deaths. The kaccha gang...who come with oil on their body. A group of gangsters killed the entire family, my grandmother was also there. It happened in Pathankot. So I went there," Raina said.Raina emphasized that the situation back home was chaotic, and the ongoing pandemic made it even more difficult. "Yes, I told this to MS Dhoni and the team management. Family comes first. Then I returned, we played the 2021 season. We won the trophy. But the previous year, the family was in chaos. They were all in depression already due to COVID-19 and then this happened. I thought I should go home and be with my family," he added.Raina's decision to prioritize his family over cricket sparked speculation and criticism at the time. However, he maintains that it was the right choice for him. "Cricket came next, I could play anytime, first, my family was important," he said.After missing the 2020 season, Raina returned to CSK the next year and helped them win the title. It turned out to be his last season as later that year, he decided to announce his retirement from all formats of the game.