In a historic moment for Pakistani cricket, Saleema Imtiaz has become the first Pakistani woman to be nominated to the ICC International Development Panel of Umpires. Imtiaz’s nomination is a milestone that qualifies her to officiate women’s bilateral international matches and prestigious ICC women’s events. Her first major assignment is officiating the ongoung T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa in Multan, started this Monday.
Imtiaz expressed immense pride in her achievement, stating that the journey involved significant hard work and personal sacrifices. She hopes her success will inspire more Pakistani women to pursue careers in cricket, both as players and match officials. Imtiaz, the mother of Pakistani cricketer Kainat Imtiaz, has already built an impressive resume, officiating 22 T20Is, including the high-profile Women’s Asia Cup final between Sri Lanka and India.
“The journey has been filled with hard work and personal sacrifices, but now, standing at the cusp of this new chapter, it all feels worth it,” Imtiaz said in a statement released by the PCB. “This isn’t just a win for me, it’s a win for every aspiring female cricketer and umpire in Pakistan. I hope my success motivates countless women who dream of making their mark in the sport. This moment reflects the growing influence of women in cricket and the PCB’s commitment to fostering that development.”
Imtiaz’s career began in 2008 when she joined the PCB women’s umpiring panel. Since then, she has officiated in prominent tournaments like the 2022 Asia Cup and the 2023 ACC Emerging Women’s Cup. Imtiaz shared that since her daughter Kainat’s debut in 2010, she has nurtured the dream of representing Pakistan internationally in her own right.
“Ever since Kainat made her debut for Pakistan in 2010, my own dream has been to represent my country at an international level,” she said. “While I’ve had opportunities with the Asian Cricket Council, officiating at the highest level has always been the ultimate goal. I’m now focused on performing to the best of my abilities in both bilateral and ICC matches, and building my reputation as a reliable and respected match official.”
Her nomination highlights the strides women are making in cricket and underscores the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) commitment to advancing women’s participation in the sport. The PCB recently promoted four male umpires to its Elite Panel and continues to develop its officiating standards. Saleema Imtiaz’s appointment is a landmark moment not just for her, but for all women aspiring to break barriers in cricket.
Also, see:
These Pakistani players will take part in CPL 2024
