Karachi, September 15, 2024 – Saleema Imtiaz has made history as the first Pakistani woman to be nominated to the ICC International Panel of Development Umpires. This prestigious nomination allows her to officiate in women’s bilateral international matches and ICC women’s events. Imtiaz’s first on-field appearance in a bilateral series will be during the upcoming T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa, which starts on Monday in Multan.
In a statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Imtiaz expressed her joy and pride in achieving this milestone. “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. “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 is the mother of Kainat Imtiaz, a Pakistani cricketer who has played 40 international matches so far. Saleema herself has officiated in 22 T20Is, including 16 on-field and six as a TV umpire. Her most recent on-field officiating was in the Women’s Asia Cup final in Dambulla, between Sri Lanka and India, after umpiring in three other matches during the tournament.
“Ever since Kainat made her debut for Pakistan in 2010, my own dream has been to represent my country at an international level,” Imtiaz shared. “While I’ve had opportunities with the Asian Cricket Council, officiating at the highest level has always been my 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.”
Imtiaz began her umpiring career in 2008 with the PCB Women’s Panel. Over the years, she has officiated in major events, including the 2022 Asia Cup and the 2023 ACC Emerging Women’s Cup in Hong Kong.
