"When I look back, there are many memorable moments but I can instantly remember the India versus Pakistan game at Mohali during the 2011 World Cup semi-final as the most exciting one," Taufel said reporters at the Premadasa Stadium on Saturday, reports Indian news website NDTV.com.
"The prime ministers of the two countries were present and it was more than just a game of cricket. I believe there were two finals in 2011 World Cup. The semi-final and the final," he added.
The 41-year-old Australian said that the 'toughest match' of his career was a Test match between India and England in Mumbai which were the "Longest five days as I was not well. I was bitten by the stomach bug in Mohali. It was a physical as well as mental Test."
There are many challenges for an international umpire and Taufel cited a few examples when he had to be at his best.
"Shane Warne bowling 25 overs on the fifth day at a Test match in Adelaide or Murali bowling 25 overs on the final day at Kandy were some of the big moments."
Taufel also had a horrifying experience when he was a witness to the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus and match officials near the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore back in March, 2009 and, by his own admission, the incident changed his priorities in life.
"That day did change me personally and I think my family is happy to see me sitting over here. I learnt a lot on that day and it helped me focus on the priorities of my life. After that incident, I had to make a difficult phone call to my wife," Taufel recollected.
But he didn't forget to mention that he had 'very fond memories' having officiated in a lot of international matches in Pakistan.
Taufel, who will now be an ICC High Performance Manager for Umpires, said that he is happy to go out on his own terms.
"I always wanted to finish at an ICC event and go out on my own terms. I wanted to have my family here when I would walk away from on-field international umpiring. People and players would expect that I have a good game tomorrow."
Asked about what it takes to make a good umpire, Taufel replied, "It requires all kinds of personal skills, man management, technique. It really is a different challenge. There is a responsibility towards broadcasters, to the people who watch it on TV."
Taufel also thanked another former ICC Elite Panel umpire Darrell Hair and others from New South Wales.
"I started as a Grade-V umpire and in those days we used to get 60 dollars (per match) which helped me pay my university fees."
For a number of years now, India haven't been able to produce ICC Elite Panel umpires, but the Aussie said that it would happen very soon.
"I have no doubt in my mind that India will be able to produce some good Elite Panel umpires as they have a lot of good umpires."
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