The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) nominated umpire Saleema Imtiaz for the ICC International Panel of Development Umpires. This appointment allows her to officiate at women’s bilateral international matches and ICC women’s events. Saleema, mother of Pakistan Women’s cricketer Kainat Imtiaz, is the first Pakistani woman to join the ICC panel.
The PCB highlighted Saleema’s groundbreaking achievement: “Saleema Imtiaz’s nomination sets an inspiring precedent for future female cricket professionals.”
Starting her umpiring career in 2008 with the PCB Women’s Umpires Panel, the 52-year-old Saleema has officiated at prominent events like the 2022 and 2024 ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cups and the 2023 ACC Emerging Women’s Cup in Hong Kong.
Recently, she served on the umpiring panel for the 2024 ACC Women’s Premier Cup in Kuala Lumpur. Saleema expressed her gratitude and excitement about her new role, “I am beyond thrilled to join the ICC International Panel of Development Umpires, and I am grateful to the PCB for the opportunities that led to this achievement.”
Starting Monday, Saleema will make her first on-field appearance in the upcoming Pakistan-South Africa women’s T20I series in Multan. Nasir Hussain will join her from the PCB Elite Panel of Umpires. Humairah Farah and Muhammad Javed Malik will be the third umpire and match referee, respectively.
