The International Cricket Council on Monday announced that it has withdrawn Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar from the remaining matches in the ongoing India versus South Africa series following threats from Shiv Sena.
Aleem, a member of the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, had officiated in the first three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and was also scheduled to umpire in the fourth and fifth ODIs in Chennai and Mumbai on 22 and 25 October, respectively.
Shiv Sena, who had stormed the Board of Control for Cricket in India's headquarters in Mumbai earlier on Monday protesting against India resuming cricket ties with Pakistan, had reportedly threatened umpire Dar from officiating in the fifth and final ODI in Mumbai.
"The ICC has made the decision following Monday's incident in Mumbai where a group of extremists stormed the Board of Control for Cricket in India offices, and threatened to prevent the umpire from standing in the fifth ODI on Sunday," the ICC said in a media release.
"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 withdraw and his replacement will be announced in due course," an ICC spokesman said.
Hundreds of Shiv Sainiks stormed BCCI president Shashank Manohar's cabin forcing the Board to cancel the much-anticipated talks against Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shahyrar Khan over resumption of cricketing ties.
This is the second Shiv Sena protest in recent days after the black paint attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni on October 12 to protest against the visit of former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri.
