A Pakistani cricketer follows in his mother’s footsteps and comes out of retirement to become a match referee

Pakistan fast bowler Kainat Imtiaz has announced her retirement from international cricket after a 13-year career, but she will not retire from the game. Instead, the former Pakistan international is following in her mother Saleema Imtiaz’s footsteps as she begins a new chapter as a match referee.

Kainat, 34, has represented Pakistan in 19 ODIs and 21 T20Is. She made her T20I debut against South Africa in Potchefstroom in October 2010 and played her first ODI the following year against Ireland in Fatullah, Bangladesh. She ended her international career with 10 wickets in ODIs and eight in T20Is.

Her career included several significant milestones. Kainat was part of Pakistan’s gold medal-winning team at the 2010 Asian Games in China and 2014 in South Korea. She also represented Pakistan at the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup, where she played four matches, and was part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games squad.

Her last international appearances came in 2022 and 2023. She last played T20I cricket against Thailand in Sylhet in October 2022 before making her final ODI appearance against Australia at the Gabba in January 2023.

KEEPING THE FAMILY LEGACY ALIVE

Kainat has already taken the first steps into her new career. She served as a match referee during the PCB Women’s Under-19 National Tournament in Karachi in August and September, with PCB scorecards confirming her appointment during the competition.

Moving has a special family connection. Her mother Saleema Imtiaz made history in 2024 by becoming Pakistan’s first female umpire in the ICC International Development Panel. Saleema started her umpiring journey with the PCB Women’s Panel in 2008 and has since officiated in nine Women’s ODIs and 69 Women’s T20Is.

Saleema broke through in 2026 by becoming the first Pakistani woman to officiate at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. She stood out in international matches after being appointed to the panel of tournament officials.

Kainat is also navigating her cricket career alongside motherhood. She and her husband Mohammad Waqar Uddin welcomed their daughter in June 2024. Kainat spoke about the strong support she has received from her family, including her husband and mother, as she balances raising her daughter with her cricket career.

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