Ghauri happy more players are taking to umpiring

Abu Dhabi: Pakistan umpire Nadeem Ghauri, who will officiate in the two Twenty20 matches in Dubai and the third one-dayer in Abu Dhabi during the Cool & Cool Cup series between Pakistan and New Zealand, is a former Test cricketer turned umpire.

"I have played Test cricket for Pakistan under Imran Khan's captaincy. Being a player, I feel comfortable umpiring matches," said Ghauri, who made his Test debut against Australia in Sydney during the 1990 series.

Good development

Ghauri was a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, and played in six one-dayers. Among the wickets he had bagged are star batsmen like David Boon, Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga, Roshan Mahanama and Tom Moody.

Ghauri is delighted that more cricketers are taking up umpiring in Pakistan. "A lot of first-class cricketers after retirement are becoming umpires and this is a good development. The Pakistan Cricket Board is also encouraging umpires to reach the elite panel," he said.

Ghauri recently officiated the Holland-Afghanistan series in Holland.