Former ICC Elite Panel Umpire Asad Rauf dies at the age of 66

Digital Desk: Former ICC Elite Panel Umpire Asad Rauf of Pakistan died in Lahore after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 66.

Rauf officiated in 64 Tests (49 as on-field umpire, 15 as the third umpire), 139 One-Day Internationals (98 as on-field umpire, 41 as the third umpire), and 28 Twenty20 Internationals (23 as on-field, 5 as the third umpire). He joined the Elite Panel in 2006, a year after officiating in his maiden Test, as one of the best umpires of his generation.

However, he had been working in One-Day Internationals since 2000.

Rauf remained a popular personality and was once a regular in the Indian Premier League. However, his name was mentioned in the IPL spot-fixing controversy in 2013, and his career suffered a drop as a result.

Rauf left India before the end of the IPL that year, and the ICC then barred him from competing in the Champions Trophy. Although he later refuted the charges, claiming that the decision not to participate in the Champions Trophy was made with his approval.

Rauf was eventually removed from the ICC Elite Panel, despite the fact that the world governing body stated that its decision had nothing to do with the spot-fixing allegations.

Even though Rauf maintained his innocence, the BCCI banned him for five years in 2016 after finding him guilty of corrupt practices.

During an interview with a Pakistani news program, Rauf stated that he had lost interest in cricket and no longer watches it. He had a business in Lahore's Landa Bazaar.

"I haven't been in touch with the game since 2013, because when I quit something, I absolutely abandon it." "Rauf stated to Paktv.tv.

He also stated that prior to the claims, he spent his greatest time officiating in the IPL. "With the exception of these later troubles, I had the best time in IPL." "he stated

Rauf stated the claims of his involvement in corruption originated from the BCCI, which banned him unilaterally. "I had nothing to do with these matters; the claims originated from the BCCI, and they made the decision on me," he explained.