Saleema Imtiaz Becomes First Pakistani Female Umpire at Women’s T20 World Cup

Pakistani umpire Saleema Imtiaz made history as the first woman from Pakistan to officiate at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, marking another major milestone in her pioneering career as a cricket official.

In September 2024, Saleema also became Pakistan’s first female umpire to be appointed to the ICC International Development Panel.

Saleema Imtiaz said she was proud and delighted to represent Pakistan at the highest level of women’s cricket officiating. She described the appointment as a historic moment for both herself and the country.

“It is a great pleasure to be representing Pakistan at the biggest stage and an honour to become the first woman from my country to officiate in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup,” Saleema said.

“I’m immensely thankful to everyone, including my family and the PCB, for the invaluable support throughout this journey. Hopefully, I can inspire more women and girls back home to take up cricket professionally as players as well as match officials,” she added.

Saleema Imtiaz was included in the tournament’s officiating panel as a replacement for Lauren Agenberg. She quickly took on several roles across different matches.

She served as fourth umpire for the India vs. South Africa match at Old Trafford on June 21. She then made her on-field ICC Women’s T20 World Cup debut in the New Zealand vs. Scotland match in Bristol.

On the same day, Saleema also worked as TV umpire for the Sri Lanka vs. Ireland match.

She later stood on the field for the India vs. Bangladesh match at Old Trafford. She is set to complete her tournament duties as TV umpire for the England vs. New Zealand match at The Oval and as fourth umpire for the Australia vs. India match at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Saleema Imtiaz began her umpiring career with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s women’s panel in 2008. Since then, she has officiated in nine Women’s One-Day Internationals and 58 Women’s Twenty20 Internationals.

Her latest achievement is being seen as an important step for women in Pakistani cricket and a source of inspiration for young girls who want to build careers in the sport.