Cricket News

Former Pakistan elite Umpire now runs a clothes shop in Lahore

Fate could change the course of a person’s life in the blink of an eye and people associated with cricket are no immune to that. In a similar example of alteration, Asad Rauf, once a member of the elite cricket umpires now runs a shop in Lahore. 

Talking to Paktv.tv, the Pakistan ex-umpire has revealed some reasons for turning his back on the game. When asked if he still follows cricket, the ex-Umpire said, “Nahi, maine saari umar jab khud hi khila diye toh ab dekhna kisko hai (No, I’ve umpired in so many games all my life, there’s no one left to see now). Maine 2013 ke baad cricket se bilkul hi…..kyunki mai jo kaam chhodta hu usko chhod hi deta hu (I haven’t been in touch with the game since 2013, because once I leave something I leave it completely).” 

Asad Rauf was banned for five years by the Indian cricket board in 2016 for engaging in corruption. Reportedly the then Umpire accepted gifts from bookies and also engaged in match-fixing during the 2013 Indian T20 League. 

“I have spent my best time in IPL, apart from these issues that came later on. Unse mera toh koi lena dena tha hi nahi, wo unhi (BCCI) ki taraf se aaye aur unhone hi decision le liye (I had nothing to do with these issues, the allegations came from the BCCI’s side and they took the decision on me themselves),” he said.

The controversial Umpire was also involved in other allegations, the biggest of which was a harassment case from a Mumbai-based model. The girl claimed that she was led on by Rauf with a promise of marriage but later backed down. When asked about the same he said,

“Ladki waala maamla jab aaya tha, toh mai to uske agle saal bhi IPL krwane gaya tha (Even after the allegations from the girl, I had umpired in the IPL next season).” 

Asad Rauf has umpired in 98 ODIs, 49 Tests and 23 Indian T20 League matches before his ban.