Paktin optimistic of performing in WC contest

KABUL (Pajhwok): Ahmad Shah Paktin, the first Afghan performing as an umpire in the international cricket matches, said he strived to ensure the principles of neutrality strictly during matches.

Paktin, 46, hailing from the Khorakhcha locality of Mattakhan district in southeastern Paktika province, said he was interested in cricket during his refugee life in Pakistan and currently serve as the international cricket umpire.

“When lived a refugee life in Pakistan I developed interest with cricket there and started playing it, on the bases of local games rules one of the player should take responsibility of umpiring and most of the time, teams picked me as an umpire so I also developed interest with umpiring,” he said.

Due to his growing interest with cricket, Paktin got the international Cricket Council (ICC) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) memberships in 2003.

Paktin said he participated in the umpiring course organized by the ACC in 2004.

“At that time everyone defined umpiring a challenging profession and said what is umpiring that you want to go with, but since I had interest in umpiring so I have achieved my goals,” he said.

Paktin performed umpiring service for the first time in 2017 during Afghanistan VS Ireland One Day International (ODI) match.

He said so far he appeared as umpire in 85 games. In 21 games he served as TV umpire while in 62 matches he performed duty on the ground.

Paktin said: “Initially, I did not think I would become umpire at international stage but I was the first Afghan to achieve this milestone and if Allah is willing one day I will serve as umpire in the World Cup tournament as well.”

He acknowledged that during Afghanistan match he felt pressure. “All decisions and performance of umpires are closely monitored by the ICC and umpires promotions and development is based on their performance.”

Some cricket lovers expect that Paktin should make decisions in the favor of Afghanistan during matches, when he was asked in this regard he said: “Umpire should remain neutral because taking sides has negative impact on the performance of umpire, umpire should produce correct decisions for the sake of the country’s name and honor.”

Referring to the umpires neutrality, he said a neutral umpire get more games and more opportunities by the ICC and it was because of his neutrality and fair decision making that he served as umpire in mega tournaments such as U-19 World Cup, T20 World Cup, Women World Cup and Inter-Continental Tournaments.

He said: “During umpiring you cannot enjoy the game and your entire focus should be on the game, rules and regulations.”

When asked who his favorite player is, he said: “Rahid Khan is not only Afghan star but he is an international star, I enjoy his bowling, bating and fielding in the ground.”

He said: “I don't have a particular style, but in the beginning I was interested in the umpiring style of Steve Bucknor from West Indies, he had a special style that would shake his head when out and not out, I also did the same at first, but later I stopped.”

“I ask cricket fans to see cricket as a sport, support your favorite team or player sometimes we see that after a cricket match is lost, fans insult and humiliate on social media, I request them to see cricket as a sport.”