Saleema Imtiaz becomes Pakistan's first female in ICC umpires panel
Saleema Imtiaz has become the first Pakistani woman to be nominated to the International Cricket Council's international panel of development umpires. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced this significant achievement on September 15. This nomination means Imtiaz will now officiate in women's bilateral international matches and ICC women's events. Here are further details.
Imtiaz's journey and inspiration in cricket
Imtiaz has been a part of the PCB's women's umpires panel since 2008. She has officiated in several Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournaments over the past three years. Her daughter, Kainat, who has represented Pakistan in 40 international games, including 19 ODIs and 21 T20Is, inspired her to pursue her dream of featuring in the umpiring circuit internationally.
Reaction to her historic nomination
Imtiaz, expressing her elation about the same, stated, "This isn't just a win for me, it's a win for every aspiring female cricketer and umpire in Pakistan." She hopes that her success will inspire countless women who dream of making their mark in the sport. Imtiaz emphasized that this achievement highlights the increasing role of women in cricket and PCB's dedication to supporting their development.
First assignment as an international umpire
Imtiaz's first international assignment as an umpire will be the three-match T20 series between Pakistan Women and South Africa Women, starting September 16 in Multan. This event marks a significant step forward in her career as an international cricket umpire.
