Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar not be a part of 5-match Test series between India and England

New Delhi: Amid the tensions between India and Pakistan, the International Cricket Council reportedly withdrew elite umpire Aleem Dar from India-England Test series, starting November.

Dar's omission came after India's strict stand against having any sort of relations with Pakistan, be it in terms of sports or entertainment.

The situation has become such bad that even a bilateral cricket series between the two neighboring countries has been prohibited.

Dar, who will most likely be replaced by Sri Lanka's Kumar Dharmasena, was removed from officiating the India-South Africa series earlier as well following Shiv Sena threats.

As per a report in IndiaToday, an ICC spokesperson has refuted the claims that Aleem Dar has been withdrawn from India-England series stating...

"Two things - a person can only be withdrawn if he had been appointed first and you know officials of the India-England series were never appointed with Dar in it. So how can someone say he has been withdrawn. Secondly, and more importantly, Dar had been named for the Australia-South Africa series and he is already in Perth for the first Test. Once his appointment was done for that series, it is very wrong to assume he has been withdrawn by ICC for the India series."

Ranjan Madugalle and Jeff Crowe named as Match Referees, the umpires for the India-England Test series will be Kumar Dharmasena, Paul Reffiel, Bruce Oxenford, Rod Tucker, Chris Gaffaney and Marais Erasmus.

The India-England 5-match Test series will start on November 9 with first match taking place in Rajkot.