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Naeem Niazi
LAHORE, Sep 15 (APP):Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday nominated Saleema Imtiaz to the International Panel of ICC Development Umpires which will enable her to officiate women’s bilateral international matches and the ICC women’s events.
Saleema Imtiaz’s nomination is historic as she became the first Pakistani woman official to rise to the ICC panel and the trailblazer in the sport.
The PCB, in its message, said ‘’With her nomination to the ICC International Panel, Saleema Imtiaz not only breaks barriers but also sets an inspiring precedent for the next generation of female cricket professionals.”
Saleema Imtiaz, 52, began her umpiring career with the PCB Women’s Umpires Panel in 2008.
Her extensive experience includes officiating at high-profile events under the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) such as the 2022 and 2024 ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 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.
Acknowledging the honor, Saleem Imtiaz said, “I am thrilled to join the ICC International Panel of Development Umpires. I owe immense gratitude to the PCB for the invaluable opportunities that paved the way for this achievement.”
“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,” she further said.
“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. This moment reflects the growing influence of women in cricket and the PCB’s commitment to fostering that development. I sincerely hope to see more women follow in my footsteps and embrace this beautiful game,” Saleema added.
“Ever since my daughter Kainat Imtiaz made her debut for Pakistan in 2010, my own dream has been to represent my country at an international level. While I’ve had opportunities with the ACC, officiating at the highest level has always been the ultimate goal. I’m now focused on performing to the best of my abilities in both bilateral and ICC matches, and building my reputation as a reliable and respected match official.”
Her first on-field appointment in a bilateral series will see her officiate the Pakistan-South Africa women’s T20I series in Multan, which begins on Monday. She will be partnered by Nasir Hussain from the PCB Elite Panel of Umpires, while Humairah Farah will serve as the third umpire and Muhammad Javed Malik from the PCB International Panel of Match Referees will oversee the series as match referee.