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Former Pakistan elite umpire Asad Rauf passes away

Former International Cricket Council (ICC) elite panel umpire from Pakistan Asad Rauf. [Photo: Twitter/ Pakistan Cricket]

Former International Cricket Council (ICC) elite panel umpire from Pakistan, Asad Rauf passed away following a cardiac arrest on Wednesday in Lahore.

Rauf, who died at the age of 66, officiated in 64 Tests (49 as on-field umpire and 15 as TV umpire), 139 ODIs and 28 T20Is.

Rauf was one of Pakistan’s most prominent umpires in the mid-2000s, having been elevated to the ICC’s elite panel in 2006. He had officiated in his first Test the previous year, and been on the ODI panel since 2004, having stood in his first ODI in 2000.

He was a popular figure on the circuit who, alongside Aleem Dar, did his bit in improving the reputation of Pakistani umpires before the neutral umpires era.

Rauf had a substantial first-class career as a middle-order batter before he turned to umpire, appearing for National Bank and Railways, averaging 28.76 from 71 first-class matches.

Meanwhile, Ramiz Hasan Raja, a former Pakistani cricketer, condoled the death of the elite umpire and expressed sympathies with his family.

Raja, who currently serves as the 36th Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, took to his Twitter and wrote: “Saddened to hear about passing of Asad Rauf. Not only was he a good umpire but also had a wicked sense of humour. He always put a smile on my face and will continue to do so whenever I think about him. Many sympathies with his family for their loss”.

 

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