Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has introduced the nomination of Saleema Imtiaz to the ICC International Panel of Development Umpires. This appointment makes her the first Pakistani lady to enroll in the panel, in which she will be able to officiate in women’s bilateral international matches and ICC Women’s occasions.
The PCB shared this historic success on Sunday, underscoring the developing presence of women in the sport. Speaking about her new role, the fifty two-12 months-old umpire expressed her gratitude toward the PCB, acknowledging the employer’s contribution to her profession. “I owe great gratitude to the PCB for the valuable possibilities that paved the manner for this fulfillment,” Saleema said in an interview.
“This second displays the developing influence of ladies in cricket and the PCB’s dedication to fostering that improvement.” Saleema, who began her umpiring career in 2008 with the PCB Women’s Umpire Panel, has steadily risen through the ranks, having officiated at foremost events together with the 2022 and 2024 Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Women’s T20 Asia Cup and the 2023 ACC Emerging Women’s Cup in Hong Kong.
She was also part of the gambling manipulate team on the ACC Women’s Premier Cup 2024 in Kuala Lumpur. Her journey into umpiring is mainly incredible as she is the mom of Kainat Imtiaz, an global cricketer who made her debut for Pakistan in 2010. Saleema remarked that her daughter’s debut changed into an inspiring moment that fueled her very own pursuits of representing Pakistan the world over.
“Ever considering that Kainat made her debut for Pakistan, my very own dream has been to represent my usa at the worldwide stage,” she stated. “While I’ve had possibilities with the Asian Cricket Council, officiating at the best degree has continually been the closing purpose.” Saleema will make her first look as an ICC-recognised umpire within the Pakistan-South Africa ladies’s T20I series set to begin on September 16 in Multan.
She may be joined by Nasir Hussain from the PCB Elite Panel of Umpires, with Humairah Farah serving as the third umpire and Muhammad Javed Malik as the in shape referee. Reflecting at the hard work and perseverance that led to date, Saleema recommended different ladies to observe their passion for cricket, noting that possibilities are increasing in the sport for girls.
“This is an fulfillment for all of the ladies accessible willing to pursue their cricket profession,” she said. Saleema’s appointment marks a substantial breakthrough for Pakistani women in cricket, as the game keeps to adapt and provide greater roles for women on and stale the sector.
Match officials for 2024-25 PCB International Panel of Umpires: Aleem Dar, Asif Yaqoob, Faisal Khan Aafreedi, Rashid Riaz Waqar ICC International Panel of Development Umpires: Saleema Imtiaz PCB Women’s Panel of Umpires: Afia Amin, Ayesha Farooq, Humairah Farah, Nazia Nazir, Saleema Imtiaz
