Allahuddien Paleker has become the latest South African umpire to join the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires after the international governing body unveiled its new lineup of umpires for the next 12 months.
Paleker joins eleven other umpires from around the world, including fellow South African Adrian Holdstock, on the Elite Panel. He has become the seventh South African umpire to feature on the panel.
For the 47-year-old Paleker, it's been a long road to this point; however, the journey has been worth it.
"I started umpiring in 2006 and got onto the first-class panel in 2009, so getting onto the Elite Panel sixteen years after standing in my first first-class game is a lot of time on the feet and away from home. I'm just glad all the hard work has paid off," Paleker said.
"When I started umpiring, I wanted to get onto this panel, and there are only twelve umpires from around the world on it, so it's quite a prestigious moment in my career."
After umpiring his first T20 International in 2018, his first One-Day International in 2019 and then his first test match in 2020 it has been a journey for the Cape Town-born official to get to this point.
Paleker singles out an event in 2024 as a significant moment for him.
"My big break came last year when I went to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA," he mentioned. "I had a really good tournament there and that obviously put me on the map and with the Elite Panel it's all about timing, so I didn't put too much pressure on myself.
"I told myself to go out there and control what I can control and see what happens."
Following this announcement, Paleker's achievement has fast-tracked his progress toward his ultimate goal.
"My goal was to be involved in the 2027 ICC Men's 50-over World Cup in South Africa and so this has happened two years earlier which I am quite happy with," Paleker added.
'MIND IS PROGRAMMED'
Paleker will officiate in the next round of the CSA 4-Day Domestic Series as being involved in matches is the most important element of improving.
"Umpiring is about experiences and getting yourself into certain situations," he explained.
"Most of the time now when it comes to decision making it is second nature because my mind is programmed to know what to look for.
"You won't get onto the Elite Panel within ten years of starting an umpiring career because it takes a while to get to know yourself and how to manage a game and yourself."
Having spent many seasons umpiring domestic cricket in South Africa, Paleker believes that those experiences have set him up to thrive on the international stage.
“International cricket is not a finishing school, and the hard yards have to be done at provincial level.
“When I started umpiring a lot of the international players used to play first-class cricket and that toughened you as a young umpire.
“I remember when I started umpiring you had the likes of Neil Mackenzie, Alviro Petersen, Ashwell Prince, Justin Kemp, Robin Peterson and Vernon Philander playing.
“They were tough characters on the field, and they really tested you with their skills and put you under pressure as a youngster.”
'NOTHING IS PERFECT IN UMPIRING'
As Paleker rose through the ranks to the international stage, he has held onto a piece of advice given to him by fellow Elite Panellist Holdstock.
“In 2015 I was frustrated and wasn’t advancing as quickly as I thought I should, and he told me to be patient and control what I can control, and the rest will take care of itself.
“At that time, I was a perfectionist, and nothing is perfect in umpiring. Adrian has seen a lot, so I took his advice and since adopting that everything has fallen into place,” he said.
Cricket South Africa Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki was full of praise for Paleker and his appointment.
“Pallies is a fantastic umpire and continues to prove his worth both domestically and on the international stage,” Moseki said.
“To have two South Africans on the ICC Elite Panel is a brilliant achievement and we wish both Pallies and Adrian (Holdstock) all the best for the next 12 months.”