Aleem Dar reveals what is being a ‘Muslim umpire’ in cricket

Pakistan’s Aleem Dar, hailed among the best umpires in the game of cricket today, revealed what it is being a ‘Muslim umpire’ in modern cricket while praising Indian skipper and batting maestro Virat Kohli.

Talking to local media, Dar informed that it was South Africa’s opening batsman Hashim Amla, who inspired him to grow a beard.

"It was my intention to keep a beard in the future but I was impressed by Hashim Amla's words that keep a beard so that people know that there is a Muslim umpire there so I decided to grow one. I feel very proud that I am a Muslim and also known as a good umpire. I get checked a lot [at airports due to my beard] but their attitude changes when they see that I am Aleem Dar," revealed Dar.

Dar also informed that he does not use right hand index finger, while making a decision on the field as it has a special place in Islam.

"The right hand index finger in Islam has a special meaning as it’s used to denote the unity of Allah, I don’t want to use that finger for cricket as you can make incorrect decisions, which is why I use my left hand index finger for giving decisions in cricket"

In Islam raising the index finger signifies the Tawhid, which denotes the indivisible oneness of God.

Dar then went on to praise Indian skipper Vorat Kohli, calling him the ‘world's best batsman in all formats.’ "Many people wish to copy Virat Kohli but I dont think there is any player who can come near him at the moment," he said.