‘The allegations came from BCCI’, says Asad Rauf on being banned for match-fixing in IPL 2013

Former ICC elite panel umpire Asad Rauf was banned for five years in 2016 by the BCCI, which nearly ended his umpiring career. Rauf was allegedly accused of match-fixing during the IPL 2013 after reports suggested that he accepted expensive gifts from bookies and indulged in betting.

Six years after being banned, Rauf now runs two shops in Lahore, Pakistan. The two shops sell second-hand apparel and crockeries, respectively. 

Recently, the former ICC umpire spoke about the IPL controversy with a Pakistan news channel. Denying charges of match-fixing, Rauf said that the BCCI took the decision to ban him without much groundwork.

“I have spent my best time in the IPL, apart from these issues that came later on,” he said.

“I had nothing to do with these issues, the allegations came from the BCCI’s side, and they took the decision on me themselves,” Rauf added.

Asked if he regrets not fighting the allegations, Rauf said that he didn’t feel like returning to cricket after 2013.

“No, I’ve umpired in so many games all my life; there’s no one left to see now. I haven’t been in touch with the game since 2013 because once I leave something, I leave it completely,” he said.

Rauf played in Pakistan domestic cricket between 1977 and 1991, representing Pakistan Universities and Pakistan Railways, among other teams. He became a first-class umpire in 1998 and was a member of the ICC Elite Umpire Panel from 2006 to 2013.

A major spot-fixing scandal rocked IPL in 2013, where three Rajasthan Royals players - S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila were arrested on the allegation of spot-fixing. 

In 2015, the RM Lodha Committee suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for two years.