Former Pakistani Umpire Asad Rauf passes away at 66

Asad Rauf, a former ICC Elite Panel umpire from Pakistan, died at the age of 66.

Asad Rauf officiated in 64 Tests (49 as on-field, 15 as the third umpire), 139 ODIs (98 as on-field, 41 as the third umpire), and 28 T20Is (23 as on-field, 5 as the third umpire).

One of the best umpires of his time, he joined the Elite Panel in 2006 a year after officiating in his first Test.

Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ramiz Raja tweeted about the sad news

“Saddened to hear about the passing of Asad Rauf. Not only was he a good umpire but also had a wicked sense of humor. He always puts a smile on my face and will continue to do so whenever I think about him. Many sympathies with his family for their loss.”

Former Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal offers his condolences

“Sad to know about the news of former ICC umpire Asad Rauf’s demise…May Allah grant him mag first and give his family sabr Ameen,” tweeted former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.

Asad Rauf’s Umpiring record

Rauf became a first-class umpire in 1998. In February 2000, the Pakistan Cricket Board appointed him to his first ODI, the match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Gujranwala, Pakistan, on 16 February 2000.

In 2004, with the promotion of Aleem Dar to the ICC Elite Umpire Panel, Rauf was included in the International Panel of Umpires for the first time.

He stood in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG between Australia and South Africa in 2005. In April 2006 Rauf’s umpiring was rewarded with a promotion to the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires.

In September 2012 Rauf umpired the ICC World Twenty20 group stage match between India and Afghanistan.

Rauf umpired his first ODI in 2000 and his first Test in 2005. In 2006, he was named in ICC’s Elite Panel, which he was a part of until 2013.

He officiated 64 Tests, 139 ODIs, 28 T20Is, and 11 women’s T20Is as either umpire or TV umpire.

Rauf also officiated in 40 First Class matches, 26 List A matches, and 89 T20s overall, including IPL matches

He also had a successful domestic career as a middle-order batter. Rauf played 71 First Class matches, scoring 3423 runs. He played 40 List A matches, scoring 611 runs.

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