India vs South Africa: After Shiv Sena's threat, ICC withdraws Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar from remaining ODIs

New Delhi: After Shiv Sena members reportedly threatened to stop Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar from officiating in the fifth India versus South Africa ODI in Mumbai on October 25, the International Cricket Council (ICC) withdrew him from the remaining series.

The ICC confirmed the new by issuing 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,” said the release.

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.

The decision was made following an incident in Mumbai where a group of Shiv Sena workers stormed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) offices, and threatened to prevent the umpire from standing in the fifth ODI on Sunday.

The protest led to the cancellation of the much-awaited talks between BCCI President Shashank Manohar and PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan regarding the proposed bilateral series between the two countries in December.

After the protest, Khan flew to national capital New Delhi where he is likely to meet BCCI bigwigs and Union ministers to discusss the future of the series.