Pakistan Pacer Kainat Imtiaz Steps Down From Cricket to Begin Career as Match Referee Pakistan fast bowler Kainat Imtiaz has announced her retirement from cricket after a 13-year career. Following in the footsteps of her mother Saleema Imtiaz, she is transitioning into officiating as a match referee. Pakistan fast bowler Kainat Imtiaz has officially called time on her 13-year international cricket career. Despite stepping away from active playing, she will remain closely connected with the sport. Imtiaz has decided to follow the path of her mother, Saleema Imtiaz, and launch a new professional journey as a match referee. International Career and Bowling Figures The 34-year-old cricketer represented Pakistan in 19 One-Day Internationals and 21 T20 Internationals during her time on the field. Her international journey commenced in October 2010 when she made her T20 debut against South Africa in Potchefstroom. The following year, she earned her maiden ODI cap against Ireland in Fatullah, Bangladesh. Over the course of her international tenure, the seam bowler concluded her bowling record with 10 wickets in ODIs and 8 wickets in T20Is. Gold Medals at the Asian Games and Global Outings Among the standout highlights of her competitive career was her participation in multi-sport continental tournaments. She was part of the Pakistan squads that clinched gold medals at the Asian Games in China in 2010 and again in South Korea in 2014. On the global stage, she represented her nation at the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup, featuring in four fixtures. Additionally, she was included in the Pakistan contingent for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Final Appearances and National Team Sidelining Imtiaz last donned the national colours across the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Her final outing in the 20-over format arrived in October 2022 against Thailand in Sylhet. A few months later, in January 2023, she played her farewell One-Day International against Australia at the Gabba ground in Brisbane. Following those appearances, she was unable to secure another recall to the Pakistan national lineup, ultimately leading to her decision to draw the curtains on her playing days. Early Stint as Match Referee in PCB Tournaments Well before confirming her retirement from playing, Imtiaz had already taken her initial steps into officiating. She served as a match referee during the PCB National Women's Under-19 tournament held in Karachi in August and September of this year. That domestic assignment provided her with first-hand experience managing off-field disciplinary and match regulation protocols, setting the foundation for her full-time transition into match management. Saleema Imtiaz's Landmark Officiating Legacy The transition sees Kainat taking inspiration directly from her mother, Saleema Imtiaz, who has carved out a storied career as a cricket match official. In 2024, Saleema etched her name in the history books by becoming the first female umpire from Pakistan to be named to the International Cricket Council's International Development Panel. Her umpiring journey originated back in 2008 with the PCB women's panel, and she has since stood in 9 women's ODIs and 69 women's T20Is. Notably, she also became the first Pakistani woman to umpire fixtures in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. Now, her daughter Kainat aims to build a corresponding administrative legacy from the match referee's chair. What this means for you Kainat Imtiaz's transition into officiating highlights expanded post-retirement pathways for women in professional cricket. • For Cricket Followers: Fans will no longer see the seasoned fast bowler operating on the bowling crease for Pakistan. Instead, viewers will follow her progression in administrative and regulatory roles within the sport. • For Female Athletes: Her move serves as an encouraging template for retiring players to pursue officiating careers as umpires and referees. This transition supports greater gender diversity within domestic and global match official panels. • For PCB Administration: Having former international cricketers take up refereeing elevates the professional standards of domestic tournaments. Her hands-on playing experience will aid in handling match discipline and regulations effectively. • For Emerging Generations: A mother-daughter duo serving as elite umpire and match referee sets a historic benchmark for women in sport. It demonstrates that professional involvement can endure well beyond an active playing career. Why this happened Kainat Imtiaz opted for retirement after spending over a year outside the national side and identifying an officiating career path. • Absence from National Selection: Imtiaz played her final international fixture in January 2023 against Australia. She was subsequently not recalled to the Pakistan team, leading her to evaluate the end of her playing days. • Inspiration from Family: Her mother Saleema Imtiaz attained historic milestones as an elite international umpire on the ICC panel. Observing her mother's achievements motivated Kainat to venture into officiating as a match referee. • Trial at Domestic Tournaments: She served as a match referee during the PCB National Women's Under-19 tournament in Karachi earlier this year. That positive officiating experience solidified her transition into refereeing full-time. Questions & Answers 1. How long was Kainat Imtiaz's international cricket career before retirement? Kainat Imtiaz retired following an international cricket career spanning 13 years. 2. What role is Kainat Imtiaz pursuing after retiring as a player? She is embarking on a new career as a match referee, following in the footsteps of her mother. 3. What were Kainat Imtiaz's career statistics for Pakistan? She featured in 19 ODIs taking 10 wickets, and 21 T20Is securing 8 wickets. 4. Which major sporting events did Kainat Imtiaz win gold medals in? She won gold medals with Pakistan at the 2010 Asian Games in China and the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea. 5. What historic milestone did her mother Saleema Imtiaz achieve? Saleema Imtiaz made history in 2024 by becoming Pakistan's first female umpire on the ICC International Development Panel. https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/pakistani-teja-gendabaja-kainat-imtiaz-ne-kriketa-se-liya-snnyasa-maicha-rephari-ke-rupa-men-shuru-karengi-nai-pari-43380 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.