An internal audit report by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has raised serious concerns over irregular payments made to veteran umpire Aleem Dar during the 2024 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 9). 

 

The report reveals that Aleem Dar was paid double the standard match fee for his services, leading to excess payments amounting to around PKR 3.85 million.

 

According to media reports citing the audit, Aleem Dar received $4,000 per match during PSL 9, despite being on the PCB’s International Panel, which entitles umpires to a standard fee of $2,000 per match. The increased payment was approved by the then-Chairman of the PCB Management Committee and was disbursed from the Chairman’s contingency fund.

 

A total of $28,000 was paid to Aleem Dar for officiating in seven matches, while the amount he was entitled to under PCB regulations should have been $14,000. The auditors reportedly noted that this excess payment placed an additional financial burden on the PCB and indirectly impacted the PSL franchises as well.

 

The note sheet titled “PCB-DCOP-24-1848 – Payments for Match Officials, PSL 9, 2024” confirmed that several umpires and match referees were appointed for PSL 9 fixtures, and the match fees were allocated accordingly. However, Aleem Dar’s match fee was based on the ICC Elite Panel rate of $4,000 per match, even though he was not part of the Elite Panel during the tournament.

 

As per the audit, this action provided an undue financial benefit to Aleem Dar and was in violation of the board’s own regulations. It concluded that the overpayment caused a financial loss to the PCB.

 

In response, the PCB management acknowledged that Aleem Dar had requested to be paid at the ICC Elite Panel rate and that this request was approved by the Chairman at the time

 

The auditors noted that this explanation effectively confirmed the audit’s findings regarding the irregular payment.