South African umpire Allahuddien Paleker has paid tribute to his father Jamalodien after being drafted into the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
South African umpire Allahuddien Paleker has been drafted into the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires following the International Cricket Council’s annual review and selection process.
Paleker has considerable experience at the top level as part of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires and was picked by a selection panel consisting of ICC General Manager – Cricket, Wasim Khan (Chair), former English Premier League referee Mike Riley, former international umpire and umpire coach Peter Manuel and former player and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar.
The 47-year-old, who officiated in his first international back in 2019 before standing in his maiden Test against India at the Wanderers in 2022, was honoured to be called up to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.
“This is a significant moment in my umpiring career. It’s an honour to be named in the elite panel and I look forward to reposing the faith shown in me,” Palekar said.
“Being on this panel brings both pride and responsibility with it but I am confident that my experience of having officiated across formats will stand me in good stead.”
The former Northerns first-class cricketer comes from a family of umpires. His father Jamalodien was a long-standing umpire, who officiated many club and school matches for Wynberg High School in Cape Town. He is currently in his 70s and umpired in competitions such as Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) Club Championships in the mid-1990s.
He also has an uncle who also still umpires, whilst two of his cousins are also developing umpires.
Palekar paid tribute to the role his father played in the development of his career.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family, friends, coaches, mentors, the ICC and Cricket South Africa for backing me and all my colleagues who supported me over the years,” he said.
"To my father, Jamalodien, who was also an umpire. He is my inspiration and role model; his teachings have brought me to this stage.”
Former England allrounder Alex Wharf was also drafted along with Paleker.
ICC chief Jay Shah expressed his confidence in the duo to handle the extreme pressures of international cricket.
“I am delighted to announce the Elite Umpires Panel for 2025-2026. To break into and maintain your position on the panel, umpires have to evidence the highest of standards across a number of areas, over a period of time,” Shah said.
“By definition, being an elite official brings with it scrutiny and pressure, but we are confident that both Allahuddien and Alex possess the temperament, experience and skill to deliver consistently at this very top level. On behalf of the ICC, I wish them all the best for the upcoming season as well as for the future.”
South Africa have a proud history of umpires joining the ICC Elite Umpire Panel with former umpire Marais Erasmus having won the David Shepherd ICC Umpire of the Year Award on three occasions between 2016 and 2021.