Umpire S Ravi replaces Aleem Dar

In a protocol deviation, India’s S Ravi on Tuesday replaced Aleem Dar as the umpire for the fourth cricket one-dayer between India and South Africa in southern Indian city of Chennai after the Pakistani official had to be withdrawn from the series owing to security concerns.

As per the ICC norms, one neutral umpire is a must in any bilateral series but in the Chennai ODI, both the on-field officials will be from the host country. 

“Due to the close proximity of fixtures Sundaram Ravi, a member of the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, had previously been selected for the Pakistan versus England series, but will now stand in the fourth ODI between India and South Africa in Chennai on Thursday,” the ICC said in a statement. The ICC said the move was approved by both the BCCI and CSA.