Saleema Imtiaz
Pakistan’s Saleema Imtiaz has made history as the first woman from the country to be nominated to the prestigious ICC International Panel of Development Umpires. This achievement will enable her to officiate in women’s bilateral international matches and various ICC Women’s events.
It marks a significant milestone in her career, which has been filled with dedication and hard work. Her journey also highlights the growing prominence of women in cricket officiating.
Saleema’s journey as an umpire began in 2008 when she joined the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Women’s Umpires Panel. Over the years, she has gained vast experience, officiating in numerous high-profile cricketing events.
Some of her key assignments have included officiating under the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) at events like the 2022 and 2024 ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup, the 2023 ACC Emerging Women’s Cup in Hong Kong, and more recently, the ACC Women’s Premier Cup 2024 in Kuala Lumpur.
As a mother to Pakistan women’s international cricketer Kainat Imtiaz, Saleema’s passion for the sport has always been evident.
She shared that while watching her daughter represent Pakistan since her debut in 2010, she too had the dream of representing her country in a professional capacity. Now, as part of the ICC International Panel of Development Umpires, that dream has become a reality.
Following her inclusion in the panel, Saleema will officiate in the Pakistan-South Africa women’s T20I series scheduled to begin in Multan.
During the series opener, she will be joined by Faisal Aafreedi from the PCB International Panel of Umpires, with Nasir Hussain serving as the TV umpire, and Humairah Farah as the fourth umpire.
Muhammad Javed Malik from the PCB International Panel of Match Referees will oversee the series as match referee.
In expressing her excitement over the development, Saleema shared that this achievement is the result of years of hard work and personal sacrifices. “I am beyond thrilled to join the ICC International Panel of Development Umpires,” she remarked.
“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.”
Saleema also emphasized that her achievement is not just a personal victory but one 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 I sincerely hope to see more women follow in my footsteps and embrace this beautiful game,” she added.
Reflecting on her next steps, Saleema noted that while officiating under the ACC was a remarkable experience, she now looks forward to taking on bilateral and ICC matches with the aim of building her reputation as a respected and reliable match official.
Her journey serves as an inspiration to women across Pakistan, demonstrating that with dedication and perseverance, the highest echelons of the cricketing world are within reach.
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