Aleem Dar of Pakistan broke Steve Bucknor's record of umpiring 128 Test matches when he stood in today's meeting between Australia and New Zealand in Perth ©ICC

Aleem Dar broke Steve Bucknor's record of most Test matches as an umpire, as Australia took on New Zealand in Perth today.

The 51-year-old Pakistani, who took up umpiring after a decade of playing first-class cricket in Pakistan, is standing in his 129th Test match as on-field umpire since his debut in Dhaka in 2003 during England's tour of Bangladesh.

Jamaican Bucknor, a high-school mathematics teacher, umpired 128 Tests between 1989 and 2009 and earned the nickname "Slow Death" for his long deliberations.

Starting his international career in 2000 during Pakistan's home ODI series against Sri Lanka, Dar has officiated in 207 one-day internationals (ODI) and is only two matches shy of the record of 209 matches in that format held by Rudi Koertzen of South Africa. 

Dar has also officiated in 46 Twenty20 internationals.

In April last year, Dar became the first cricket umpire to officiate in 350 international matches at Pakistan's third T20 international clash against the West Indies in Karachi.

"This is one milestone I had never thought of when I began my umpiring career," Dar said. 

Marnus Labuschagne of Australia celebrates scoring a century on day one of the first Test match between Australia and New Zealand at Optus Stadium ©Getty Images
Marnus Labuschagne of Australia celebrates scoring a century on day one of the first Test match between Australia and New Zealand at Optus Stadium ©Getty Images

"It is a truly amazing feeling and a high point of my life when I take the field here in Australia; thousands of miles from where I started my international career at home in Gujranwala.

"Steve Bucknor was my idol and it is only sinking in now that I will have officiated in more Test matches than him.

"In the nearly two decades of my international career, I have had the good fortune of watching some memorable matches and achievements, like Brian Lara's Test knock of 400 not out and South Africa's epic chase of Australia's score of 434 in an ODI in Johannesburg in 2006.

"It has been a long journey which would not have been possible without the support of my family.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank them, as well as the International Cricket Council and the Pakistan Cricket Board for giving me the chances I got.

"I am also thankful to all my colleague match officials for their support over the years.

"I am committed to doing my best in the coming years and taking on more challenges."

Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager Umpires and Referees, added: "Aleem has been a dedicated and consistent umpire over the years.

"He has been a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for over 15 years, standing across formats with distinction.

"I congratulate Aleem on this milestone and wish him all the best for the game.

"It is not easy officiating in this modern day of intense scrutiny, but I am sure with his dedication he will continue to move umpiring forward in the years to come."