Pakistan's Aleem Dar was named Umpire of the Year at the ICC Awards in Johannesburg. Dar, 41, was voted for this award by the 10 Full-Member captains as well as the eight-man Elite Panel of match referees, based on his decision statistics over the last 12 months.

It was the first time he had received an ICC award, and he collected the trophy from ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat. "I am very pleased to get this award," Dar said. "Thanks to the PCB and ICC, as well as my friends and family and of course my wife, who I have to leave for long periods of time.

"Normally I am quite calm and so the pressure is not big for me. It is important to stay cool and if you make a mistake you can't let it get to you. You have to concentrate all the time."

Dar, who made his international debut as an umpire in 2000, joined the Elite Panel in 2004. He beat strong competition from his colleagues Asad Rauf, Tony Hill and five-time ICC Umpire of the Year Simon Taufel. In the voting period of these awards, Dar stood in seven Tests and eight ODIs, as well as the World Twenty20 in England.