Saleema Imtiaz Creates History as First Pakistani Woman to Officiate at ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Pakistani cricket umpire Saleema Imtiaz has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman from Pakistan to officiate at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, marking another significant achievement in her umpiring career.
The appointment adds to her growing list of accomplishments after she became the first Pakistani female umpire to earn a place on the ICC International Development Panel in September 2024.
Expressing her happiness, Saleema said it was a proud moment to represent Pakistan on one of the biggest stages in women’s cricket.
She thanked her family and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their continued support throughout her journey and said she hopes her achievement encourages more women and girls in Pakistan to pursue careers in cricket, both as players and match officials.
Saleema joined the tournament’s officiating panel as a replacement for Lauren Agenberg and has since performed several key roles during the competition.
She first served as the fourth umpire during the India vs South Africa match at Old Trafford before making her on-field Women’s T20 World Cup debut in the New Zealand vs Scotland fixture in Bristol.
Later on the same day, she was appointed as the TV umpire for the Sri Lanka vs Ireland match. She also stood as an on-field umpire during the India vs Bangladesh encounter at Old Trafford.
Her tournament duties will conclude with appointments as TV umpire for the England vs New Zealand match at The Oval and fourth umpire for the Australia vs India fixture at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Saleema began her umpiring career with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s women’s panel in 2008 and has since officiated in nine Women’s One-Day Internationals and 58 Women’s Twenty20 Internationals.
Her latest achievement is being widely viewed as an important milestone for women’s cricket in Pakistan and a source of inspiration for aspiring female cricketers and match officials across the country.
