Raza wins Pakistan umpire award

Ahsan Raza was named the ?Umpire of the Year' for Pakistan domestic cricket on Monday.

The PCB elite-panel official was presented with the Aleem Dar Trophy by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director General Javed Miandad. Raza also collected a cheque for Rs. 100,000 for his performances during the last domestic season.

Miandad believes the initiative will be beneficial in developing the standard of umpiring in the country.

"It is a good step taken by the PCB to introduce the ?Aleem Dar Trophy' to acknowledge the services of national umpires," he said. "We believe our umpires will feel motivated and put in more hard work to further improve their performance."

Raza's accolade is due reward for his dedication and spirit in returning to umpiring after being shot during the attack on the Sri Lanka team bus during the Lahore Test match in March 2009.

The 38-year-old underwent emergency surgery to repair a collapsed lung and damaged liver but returned to officiating nine months later. Raza was promoted to the ICC international panel in 2010 and has been a regular on-field and third umpire since.