Asad Rauf to miss Chennai Test

Umpire Asad Rauf will not be able to stand in the first Test between India and England in Chennai because of a delay in obtaining the correct visa to India.

Pakistani and Indian nationals require city-specific visas to each other's countries and Rauf had a valid visa for Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bangalore. The first two were for the Tests and the third for a Champions League game he was to officiate.

But following the terror attacks in Mumbai last week, the Test venues were changed to Chennai and Mohali, cities for which Rauf had to get visas again. "The Indian High Commission is shut for the next five days because of the weekend and the Eid holidays," Rauf told Cricinfo.

"So I will not be able to get the right visa for the first Test in time. There is still time for the second Test so I hope to be there for that. The BCCI has given instructions to the High Commission to provide the right visa as soon as the application is made."

The ICC has not yet made an official announcement on Rauf's replacement for the first Test.