Ashes 2023: Who is Ahsan Raza, Pakistani umpire who survived 2009 terror attack, officiated in 1st ENG vs AUS Test

Pakistani umpire Ahsan Raza was spotted in the first Test of the Ashes 2023 between England and Australia, sending a wave of joy among Pakistani fans. This is Raza’s first Ashes Test as an elite ICC umpire and it is a journey he should be very proud of. Raza is a former cricketer who chose to take up umpiring after retirement. He was a wicketkeeper and batsman who never got a chance to play for Pakistan. But Raza worked hard to hone his umpiring skills and at least succeed in this new profession. Talking about his playing days, Raza played 21 first-class matches and 4 List-A matches. In 21 FC matches, he scored 192 runs with no fifties or hundreds to his name. Obviously, he was not very good with the bat in his hand and that is the reason why his playing career did not take off.

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However, unlike his cricket, Raza is a successful umpire in the game. He made his umpiring debut in the year 2006. His first stint in umpiring came in 2006 when he stood in a first-class match. He got the PCB contract in 2009, after which he did not stop. Raza then featured in the Under-19 World Cup in 2018. Later that year, she was also officiating in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Raza officiated in the 2019 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier as well as the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

What an inspiring journey of Ahsan Raza. SL was one of the victims of the team attack in 2009 and there were even rumors that he had died, but he fought through it and made his way from bottom to top.

From umpiring in Bermuda vs Namibia to umpiring in the Ashes. pic.twitter.com/WiNjv2slxW— Yang Goi (@GongR1ght) June 16, 2023

Congratulations to Pakistani umpire Ahsan Raza on taking his first Ashes Test job _ great progress for a hardworking and knowledgeable man #Ashes2023— Shahid Hashmi (@hashmi_shahid) June 16, 2023

Great to see Ahsan Raza umpiring in the Ashes opener. The ICC has always had respect for Aleem Dar and after his retirement, they have passed it on to Ahsan Raza. pic.twitter.com/W7PfSR7ppu

— Kamran (@kamran_069) June 16, 2023

In 2021, Raza stood in his first Test, a game between Pakistan and South Africa. He officiated in his 50th T20 match in November 2020 between Pakistan and Zimbabwe. After that, in just four years, he is now standing in his first Ashes Test.

It should not be forgotten that there were many obstacles in his career. He narrowly survived the 2009 terror attack in Lahore. In 2009, the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by terrorists when it was on its way to the Gaddafi Stadium. The bullet hit Raza and he was seriously injured in the attack. But he recovered and continued his journey to become a top umpire.