Former ICC elite panel umpire Asad Rauf dies at 66
Former International Cricket Council (ICC) elite panel umpire Asad Rauf has died at 66 following a cardiac arrest in Lahore. Pakistan's Rauf officiated in 64 Tests, 139 ODIs, and 28 T20Is. He last stood in a match in 2013, having extended his career to over a decade. In 2016, the BCCI banned Rauf for five years on "four charges of corruption and misconduct".
One of Pakistan's greatest umpires
Rauf had been on the ODI panel in terms of umpiring since 2004. He stood in his first 50-over match in 2000. Rauf officiated in his first Test in 2005 before jumping to the ICC's elite panel a year later. Overall, the veteran Pakistani umpire officiated in 64 Tests (49 as on-field umpire and 15 as TV umpire), 139 ODIs, and 28 T20Is.
Rauf was embroiled in several controversies
Rauf even officiated in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In 2013, he was named as a "wanted accused" by Mumbai police as they investigated the IPL spot-fixing scandal. Rauf left India before the completion of IPL 2013. The International Cricket Council (ICC) also pulled him out of the Champions Trophy that year. Later, he was dropped from the ICC's elite panel.
BCCI banned Rauf in 2016
In May 2013, Rauf denied involvement in any corrupt practices in the IPL. He said he would co-operate with the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit while questioning him. Rauf added that ICC's decision to withdraw him from the Champions Trophy was mutual. In 2016, the BCCI banned Rauf for five years on four charges of corruption and misconduct.
Rauf also played First-Class cricket
Before emerging as an umpire, Rauf played First-Class cricket as a middle-order batter. He represented National Bank and Railways in domestic cricket, having scored 3,423 runs at 28.76 from 71 matches. He also played 40 List A games.
