LAHORE: Pakistani cricket umpire Rashid Riaz Waqar has received another significant international honour after being promoted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) from its International Panel to the Emerging Panel.
The promotion marks an important milestone in his officiating career and paves the way for his debut as an on-field umpire in Test cricket.
The 50-year-old will officially begin his Test umpiring journey on Sunday when he officiates in the one-off Test match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in Harare.
In this regard, Rashid Riaz Waqar will become the 34th Pakistani umpire to officiate in men’s Test cricket. The achievement is being regarded as a proud moment not only for the official himself but also for Pakistan’s cricket umpiring fraternity, mentioning the country’s continued contribution to international cricket.
Rashid Riaz Waqar enjoyed a successful career as a first-class cricketer. During his 12-year domestic career, he played 50 first-class matches, gaining valuable experience that later proved beneficial in his transition to officiating.
Since becoming an international umpire, he has steadily built an impressive record. To date, he has officiated in 118 men’s and women’s international white-ball matches, earning recognition for his consistency, sound decision-making, and commitment to maintaining the highest standards of the game.
Rashid Riaz Waqar made his international umpiring debut in October 2018 during the Twenty20 International between Pakistan and Australia in Dubai. Since then, he has continued to progress through the ICC’s officiating pathway, taking charge of numerous international fixtures across different formats.
The appointment to his first Test match further underlines the trust placed in him by the ICC and represents another important step in his international career.
