Saleema Imtiaz Nominated to ICC International Panel of Development Umpires
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the nomination of Saleema Imtiaz to the ICC International Panel of Development Umpires. This historic nomination makes Saleema the first Pakistani female match official to join this prestigious panel, allowing her to officiate women’s bilateral international matches and ICC women’s events.
Saleema Imtiaz, who is also the mother of Pakistan Women’s cricketer Kainat Imtiaz, began her umpiring career with the PCB Women’s Umpires Panel in 2008. Her career highlights include officiating at major events organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), such as the 2022 and 2024 ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cups and the 2023 ACC Emerging Women’s Cup in Hong Kong. Most recently, she was part of the umpiring panel for the ACC Women’s Premier Cup 2024 in Kuala Lumpur.
In a statement, Saleema expressed her excitement and gratitude: “I am beyond thrilled to join the ICC International Panel of Development Umpires. I owe immense gratitude to the Pakistan Cricket Board for providing me with invaluable opportunities.”
Saleema emphasized that her achievement is not just a personal milestone but also a source of inspiration for aspiring female cricketers and umpires in Pakistan. “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.”
She also reflected on her journey, saying, “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’s first on-field assignment as part of the ICC International Panel will be officiating the Pakistan-South Africa women’s T20I series in Multan, starting Monday. She will be joined by Nasir Hussain from the PCB Elite Panel of Umpires, Humairah Farah as the third umpire, and Muhammad Javed Malik from the PCB International Panel of Match Referees, who will oversee the series as match referee.
Saleema is determined to excel in her new role and hopes to see more women embrace the game of cricket, reflecting the growing influence of women in the sport and the PCB’s commitment to promoting female cricket professionals.
