Saleema Imtiaz added a new chapter in Pakistan cricket after becoming the first woman from her country to be included in the ICC International Development Panel of Umpires. Having already officiated in 22 T20Is, 16 as on-field umpire and six as TV umpire, Saleema Imtiaz has taken rapid strides in her career of umpiring. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made the announcement on Sunday.
Saleema Imtiaz’s nomination on the panel means she is now eligible to officiate in women’s bilateral international matches and ICC women’s events. After taking the huge step, Saleema Imtiaz hailed her daughter Kainat Imtiaz for inspiring her with passion and energy. Kainat has played international cricket for Pakistan and has also worked as a commentator. She is also a part of the commentary panel for the upcoming T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa.
Saleema Imtiaz’s life changing year in 2002
2022 was a crucial year for Saleema Imtiaz after the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) decided to have an all-female umpires’ panel for the Women’s Asia Cup in Bangladesh. She made her debut in the group stage clash between India and Sri Lanka at the Sylhet Outer Cricket Stadium.
Saleema Imtiaz joined the PCB’s women’s umpires panel in 2008 and has officiated in a number of Asian Cricket Council tournaments over the last three years.
Kainat Imtiaz , daughter of Saleema Imtiaz has played 19 ODIs and 21 T20Is, said that she aspires to follow in the footsteps of her mother and bring in laurels for her country. Belonging from a family with a sporting background, Kainat also talked about the pressure of matches where both she and her mother take part.
Kainat last played international cricket on the tour of Australia back in January 2023. She missed the T20 World Cup in South Africa and isn’t a part of the upcoming edition in the UAE as well.
Saleema Imtiaz said she had always wanted to make her own name in the field of umpiring ever since her daughter made her international debut against South Africa in 2010.
Saleema Imtiaz breaks new ground in Pakistan cricket ahead of SA T20I series
Saleema Imtiaz has become the first Pakistani woman to be nominated to the ICC international panel of development umpires. She will make her international umpiring debut in the T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa which begins on Monday (September 16) in Multan.
The development panel can be seen as the third of the four levels of ICC’s umpiring pathway, below the Emerging Umpire Panel and the Contracted Umpire Panel (which is equivalent to the Elite Panel for men’s cricket). Under this, Imtiaz can officiate in women’s matches at home across formats and men’s ODIs and T20Is, apart from ICC regional pathway events.
“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 an official 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.”
Saleema Imtiaz began her umpiring career in 2008 in the PCB women’s panel and has since officiated in 22 T20Is. These include the high-octane Women’s Asia Cup final in Dambulla between India and Sri Lanka this year.
Daughter’s international debut encouraged Saleema Imtiaz
Saleema is the mother of Kainat Imtiaz, the former pacer who played 40 internationals for Pakistan and now works as a broadcaster.
“Ever since Kainat made her debut for Pakistan in 2010, my own dream has been to represent my country at an international level,” the senior Imtiaz 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.”