New Delhi: A video of former Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf has gone viral on social media in which it was revealed that he now owns a second hand clothes shop in Lahore's Landa Bazar. The former ICC elite panel umpire, who was banned six years ago by the ICC for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal in IPL 2013, has completely distanced himself from the sport.
When a journalist asked Rauf if he was happy with his new job, he replied, "I’ve umpired in so many games all my life, there’s no one left to see now," the former umpire said in an interview with Pakistani news outlet Paktv.tv. I haven’t been in touch with the game since 2013, because once I leave something I leave it completely," added Rauf.
Former umpire of the ICC Elite Panel, Asad Rauf has had a remarkable umpiring career, officiating in 170 matches from 2010 to 2013. He has also officiated in many big tournaments like IPL and World Cup. However, six years after his ban, Rauf now makes a living by selling crockery and clothes in a market of Lahore.
During IPL 2013, Rauf had allegedly accepted bribes for match-fixing and after many investigations, the elite umpire was handed a five-year ban in 2016.
"I have spent my best time in IPL, apart from these issues that came later on. I had nothing to do with these issues, the allegations came from the BCCI’s side and they took the decision on me themselves."
In another controversy, Rauf was accused of sexual harrassment by a model from Mumbai in the year 2012. The former umpire has now called these allegations baseless.
"Even after the allegations from the girl, I had umpired in the IPL next season," Rauf said.