Asad Rauf umpired in as many as 170 international games, comprising&nbsp;49 Tests, 98 ODIs and 23 T20Is. He made a career out of cricket and was part of ICC's elite panel of umpires as well. During his umpiring career, spanning from 2000 to 2013, Rauf dealt with a major blow after allegations of match-fixing were levelled against him during the infamous IPL 2013 edition in India. Back then, the veteran umpire was accused of accepting expensive gifts from bookies as well as&nbsp;placing bets in several games during the&nbsp;sixth edition of the cash-rich league.

In early 2016, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) imposed a five-year ban on Rauf, for corrupt practices and tarnishing the reputation of the game, which essentially ended his umpiring stint once and for all. At present, he runs&nbsp;two shops in Landa Bazar, Lahore (one that deals with selling second-hand apparel and the other&nbsp;of crockeries). Thus, Rauf has moved on from the infamous episode and claimed to have not been following the gentlemen's game since 2013.&nbsp;

During a recent interview with a Pakistani news channel, Paktv.tv, Rauf stated, "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 further responded.

On the match-fixing allegations, Rauf opined, "I have spent my best time in 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."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pains-me-to-see-such-a-big-player-kapil-dev-opines-on-superstar-virat-kohlis-century-drought-491013">'Pains me to see such a big player.....': Kapil Dev opines on superstar Virat Kohli's century drought</a>

In 2012, there was a serious allegation against Rauf when a Mumbai model had levelled charges of sexual exploitation. She had&nbsp;further mentioned that the two had an affair and it was prolonged due to Rauf's promise of marrying her. However, she claimed that he had&nbsp;later backed out.&nbsp;

To this, Rauf said, "Ladki waala maamla jab aaya tha, toh mai to uske agle saal bhi IPL krwane gaya tha&nbsp;(Even after the allegations from the girl, I had umpired in the IPL next season)."

He concluded by saying, "Meri aadat hai, jis kaam ko shuru karta hu uski peak pe jaata hu. Maine landai ka kaam shuru kiya hai, iski bhi peak pe mai gaya hu. Maine cricket kheli hai toh iski bhi peak pe mai gaya hu. Aur phir maine umpiring shuru ki, toh maine socha ki iski bhi peak pe hi jaana chahiye&nbsp;(It is my habit to reach the peak of whatever work I do. I started work as a shopkeeper, I have reached its peak. I played cricket, I reached the peak. And then when I started out as an umpire, I said to myself that I need to reach the peak here as well)."

Asad Rauf umpired in as many as 170 international games, comprising 49 Tests, 98 ODIs and 23 T20Is. He made a career out of cricket and was part of ICC's elite panel of umpires as well.

Asad Rauf umpired in as many as 170 international games, comprising 49 Tests, 98 ODIs and 23 T20Is. He made a career out of cricket and was part of ICC's elite panel of umpires as well. During his umpiring career, spanning from 2000 to 2013, Rauf dealt with a major blow after allegations of match-fixing were levelled against him during the infamous IPL 2013 edition in India. Back then, the veteran umpire was accused of accepting expensive gifts from bookies as well as placing bets in several games during the sixth edition of the cash-rich league. In early 2016, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) imposed a five-year ban on Rauf, for corrupt practices and tarnishing the reputation of the game, which essentially ended his umpiring stint once and for all. At present, he runs two shops in Landa Bazar, Lahore (one that deals with selling second-hand apparel and the other of crockeries). Thus, Rauf has moved on from the infamous episode and claimed to have not been following the gentlemen's game since 2013. During a recent interview with a Pakistani news channel, Paktv.tv, Rauf stated, "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 further responded. On the match-fixing allegations, Rauf opined, "I have spent my best time in 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." ALSO READ | 'Pains me to see such a big player.....': Kapil Dev opines on superstar Virat Kohli's century drought In 2012, there was a serious allegation against Rauf when a Mumbai model had levelled charges of sexual exploitation. She had further mentioned that the two had an affair and it was prolonged due to Rauf's promise of marrying her. However, she claimed that he had later backed out. To this, Rauf 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)." He concluded by saying, "Meri aadat hai, jis kaam ko shuru karta hu uski peak pe jaata hu. Maine landai ka kaam shuru kiya hai, iski bhi peak pe mai gaya hu. Maine cricket kheli hai toh iski bhi peak pe mai gaya hu. Aur phir maine umpiring shuru ki, toh maine socha ki iski bhi peak pe hi jaana chahiye (It is my habit to reach the peak of whatever work I do. I started work as a shopkeeper, I have reached its peak. I played cricket, I reached the peak. And then when I started out as an umpire, I said to myself that I need to reach the peak here as well)."

Tainted umpire Asad Rauf, who now owns two shops in Lahore, claims of not following cricket since 2013

India’s Nitin Menon has been inducted in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for the 2020-21 season following the annual review and selection process conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The 36-year-old becomes the youngest umpire in the panel and has already officiated in three Tests, 24 ODIs and 16 T20Is.&nbsp;

Menon replaces England’s’ Nigel Llong while becoming the third from his country to make to the panel after Srinivas Venkartaghavan and Sundaram Ravi.&nbsp;

A selection panel consisting of ICC General Manager - Cricket, Geoff Allardice (Chairman), former player and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, and match referees Ranjan Madugalle and David Boon, picked Menon, who was earlier part of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/azhar-ali-and-pakistan-eye-fragile-england-top-order-as-series-countdown-begins-309374" hreflang="en">Azhar Ali and Pakistan eye 'fragile' England top-order as series countdown begins</a>

<h2>"The feeling has yet to sink in" - Nitin Menon</h2>

"It’s a great honour and matter of pride for me to be named in the Elite panel. To be officiating regularly along with the leading umpires and referees of the world is something that I always dreamt of and the feeling has yet to sink in,” said Nitin Menon after being inducted in ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for the 2020-2021 season.

"Having already officiated in Tests, ODIs and T20Is as well as in ICC events, I understand the great responsibility that comes with the job. I look forward to the challenges and will do my best at every opportunity I get. I also feel this is a responsibility on me to take Indian umpires forward and help them by sharing my experiences.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/west-indies-players-to-don-black-lives-matter-logo-during-england-test-series-309350" hreflang="en">West Indies players to don 'Black Lives Matter' logo during England Test series</a>

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, BCCI and ICC for their support and believing in my ability over the years. I would also like to thank my family for their sacrifices and unconditional support throughout my career."

The other members of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires are Aleem Dar, Kumar Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Bruce Oxenford, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker and Joel Wilson. 
&nbsp;

India’s Nitin Menon has been inducted in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for the 2020-21 season following the annual review and selection process conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

India’s Nitin Menon has been inducted in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for the 2020-21 season following the annual review and selection process conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The 36-year-old becomes the youngest umpire in the panel and has already officiated in three Tests, 24 ODIs and 16 T20Is. Menon replaces England’s’ Nigel Llong while becoming the third from his country to make to the panel after Srinivas Venkartaghavan and Sundaram Ravi. A selection panel consisting of ICC General Manager - Cricket, Geoff Allardice (Chairman), former player and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, and match referees Ranjan Madugalle and David Boon, picked Menon, who was earlier part of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires. ALSO READ: Azhar Ali and Pakistan eye 'fragile' England top-order as series countdown begins "The feeling has yet to sink in" - Nitin Menon "It’s a great honour and matter of pride for me to be named in the Elite panel. To be officiating regularly along with the leading umpires and referees of the world is something that I always dreamt of and the feeling has yet to sink in,” said Nitin Menon after being inducted in ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for the 2020-2021 season. "Having already officiated in Tests, ODIs and T20Is as well as in ICC events, I understand the great responsibility that comes with the job. I look forward to the challenges and will do my best at every opportunity I get. I also feel this is a responsibility on me to take Indian umpires forward and help them by sharing my experiences. ALSO READ: West Indies players to don 'Black Lives Matter' logo during England Test series "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, BCCI and ICC for their support and believing in my ability over the years. I would also like to thank my family for their sacrifices and unconditional support throughout my career." The other members of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires are Aleem Dar, Kumar Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Bruce Oxenford, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker and Joel Wilson.

Nitin Menon included in ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for 2020-21, third Indian to achieve the landmark

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Tainted umpire Asad Rauf, who now owns two shops in Lahore, claims of not following cricket since 2013

Nitin Menon included in ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for 2020-21, third Indian to achieve the landmark