'Sad and shocked' - Cricketing fraternity mourns after the sudden demise of the Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf

“Sadly enough, the most painful goodbyes are the ones that are left unsaid and never explained,” wrote American author Jonathan Harnisch in his book Freak. The same implies to the current scenario in the whole cricketing fraternity after the sudden demise of the most celebrated umpire from Pakistan, Asad Rauf.

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The 66-year-old Rauf breathed for the last time yesterday due to a sudden cardiac arrest. He enjoyed a very handsome career in umpiring during the mid-2000s, and later on, he was promoted to the top panel of umpires.

A celebrated umpiring career to the name of Asad Rauf

The Lahore-born umpire stood in 64 official Test matches including 49 as an on-field umpire and 15 in the role of TV umpire or the third umpire. Other than the longest format of the game, he also contributed to 28 T20Is and 139 ODIs.

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He was in the position for seven years before being sacked from the panel of umpires in 2013 after the evaluation of yearly performances of the umpires. Rauf stood in his first match as an umpire 24 years back in the year 1998 during a domestic clash in Pakistan.

Rauf also worked in the Indian T20 League, one of the most prestigious and illustrious franchise leagues in the world. But things went south for him when his name was involved in the 2013 spot-fixing scandal in the IPL. His career never took off after that as he was one the wanted to be accused by the Mumbai Police.

The former official of cricket’s governing body came once again to the headlines of social media when he was spotted running a footwear showroom in the famous Landa Bazar (Flee Market) of Pakistan.

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The whole cricketing fraternity is shocked after the sudden demise of Asad Rauf, cricketers, sports journalists, and everyone in this fraternity extended their condolences to the former elite panel umpire.

Here’s how the cricketing world reacted to the sudden death of Asad Rauf:

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.

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 15, 2022

Sad to know about the news of former ICC umpire Asad Rauf’s demise…May Allah grant him magfirat and give his family sabr Ameen 🤲🏻🤲🏻 pic.twitter.com/VyplFGX6gT

— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) September 14, 2022

Former umpire Asad Rauf passed away due to cardiac arrest, he was one of the best umpires in world cricket. pic.twitter.com/9Px6qUdEsr

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 15, 2022

Former ICC umpire Asad Rauf passes away. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) September 14, 2022

Shocking Asad Rauf aged 66 years has passed away, a sequel to sudden cardiac arrest. Ex NBP & PNSC first class player who played 71 FC & 40 List A matches. He was an ICC Elite panel umpire. He saw the lows but sustained all pressures.
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un pic.twitter.com/P0NZ2BNNoq

— Dr. Nauman Niaz (@DrNaumanNiaz) September 14, 2022

Absolutely shocked to hear about Asad Rauf

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) September 15, 2022

Inna lilahi wa inna ilahi rajioon. Extremely tragic news about former umpire #AsadRauf passing away. May Allah swt grant him the highest rank. Ameen

— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) September 14, 2022

Shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the demise of former ICC Elite Panel Umpire Asad Rauf. He was a part of those amazing cricket memories while growing up. Rest in peace.

إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون

— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) September 14, 2022

RIP Asad Rauf..🌸#AsadRauf pic.twitter.com/4qqLEfFlqT

— Avinash Aryan (@AvinashArya09) September 14, 2022