Current Affairs » Former Pakistan Umpire Asad Rauf Passes Away

Former Pakistan Umpire Asad Rauf Passes Away

After suffering from a heart attack, Asad Rauf, a member of the ICC, dies unexpectedly in Lahore. He was a popular figure on the circuit which helped Pakistani umpires gain recognition before the advent of neutral umpires.

Asad Rauf, a right-handed batsman, had a respectable but unimpressive career in the 1980s, spending the most of the decade in 1986–1987.However, he lost his form following that season and played far too little first-class cricket. The official start of his umpiring career was when he officiated his very first match in 1998 and his first ODI in 2000. In 2004, he was promoted to the ODI panel, and the same year, he presided over his first Test match. He was chosen to join the ICC Expert Panel in April 2006.

Key takeaways

  • At 66, Asad Rauf died in Lahore, Pakistan, after a heart attack on September 15, 2022.
  • Rauf was undoubtedly one of the best umpires of his day, even though he was subject to severe accusations throughout his tenure.
  • Following the online disclosure of Asad Rauf’s passing, several celebrities flocked to social media to express their sincere condolences.
  • The story of Rauf serves as a reminder of how fleeting existence can be and the importance of never taking everything for granted.

Career and Life

Rauf was a renowned first-class player in Pakistan and was born on May 12, 1956, into a Punjabi household in Lahore. He was a right-handed hitter in the 1980s with a consistent, unimpressive career.

Rauf played seventy-one first-class games for National Bank and Railways. He did, though, quickly lose his form somewhere in the mid-1980s, and he played first-class cricket relatively less frequently than after.

In 1998, he officiated his first first-class match, and in 2000, he officiated his first ODI. His profession as an umpire started then. He officiated his 1st Test in 2005 and his initial One-Day International in 2000. He worked on the ICC Superior Committee from 2006 to 2013, having been elected.

History of Asad Rauf's Umpiring

In no way, shape, or form is umpiring a simple job. Asad Rauf was among the best umpires of his era.

Rauf umpired in 139 ODIs, 64 Tests (49 as TV umpire and 15 as on-ground), and 64 Tests (98 as on-ground, 41 as the TV umpire),and 28 T20Is (23 as on-field, five as the third umpire). He was among the best referees of his era.

Rauf was initially added to the International Panel of Umpires in 2004, following Aleem Dar’s promotion to the ICC Elite Umpire Panel. He was allowed to play in his debut test series in January 2005, which took place in Chittagong between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe (MAA). 

Attended the Boxing Day Test between Australia and South Africa in December 2005 at the MCG. Rauf was appointed to the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires in April 2006 as compensation for his excellent umpiring. 

Rauf officiated the ICC World Twenty20 group stage match between Afghanistan and India in September 2012.

IPL Spot-Fixing

Rauf, a participant in the ICC’s elite panel of umpires, gained notoriety during the Indian Premier League (IPL) after his name was included in a Police probe into spot-fixing in the tournament.

His removal from the Champions Trophy umpires panel by the ICC came later. The ICC reinstated Rauf on the elite panel, maintaining that the choice was based solely on his accomplishments over the previous year. This was the final cut for Rauf.

According to knowledgeable sources, Rauf was replaced after repeatedly disregarding warnings from the ICC and PCB and continuing to engage in activities inconsistent with his membership on the exclusive panel.

The ICC had given the PCB the go-ahead to warn Rauf that his actions were damaging to his reputation and should be reviewed.

The PCB had warned Rauf against taking expensive gifts from people claiming to be his supporters, yet this was one of the main complaints and a source of worry.

Rauf’s trips to Sri Lanka and India were when this inclination became very apparent. The PCB has implemented a new code of conduct for its match officials in response to the problems with Rauf. The PCB will now need umpires to obtain a NOC. If there is a violation, there is a minimum two-year ban and a maximum 15-year ban

Asad Rauf experienced many highs and lows throughout his career, and his work as an umpire ended.

Rauf's Second-hand Shop

The BCCI gave Asad Rauf a five-year ban in 2016 due to match-fixing allegations. He was officially expelled from umpiring and ceased monitoring cricket after being found guilty of engaging in fraudulent behaviour and having ties to bookmakers.

After this incident, Rauf left the cricket pitch and founded a store in Lahore where he used to sell secondhand footwear and apparel.

Asaf Rauf sells name-brand clothing and footwear in his store for a reasonable price. Rauf claimed that he operates this store to provide for the needs and salaries of his employees.

Rauf claimed in an interview with Paktv that he hadn’t followed cricket since 2013. I haven’t checked in on the game since; once I leave something, I never come back.

Rauf responded to a question about his IPL umpiring experience by saying:

“Aside from these concerns that surfaced later, the IPL was where I had the most fun. I had nothing to do with these matters; the BCCI made the accusations and decided whether or not to punish me.”

Asad Rauf went on to say that he wants to expand his business. I always try to provide my best effort in everything I do.I excelled at cricket while playing. Then, when I first became an umpire, I told myself I needed to succeed in this position.