Kainat Imtiaz's Surprise Career Move: From Fast Bowler to Match Referee

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-05

Pakistan's right-arm fast bowler Kainat Imtiaz has hung up her international boots, but she's not leaving the game. Instead, she's trading her playing kit for an official's blazer, becoming a match referee. It's a bold move, and one that's already turning heads in the cricket world. ### From Bowling to Officiating Imtiaz's journey from player to official didn't happen overnight. After her last international appearance, she dipped her toes into broadcasting, presenting and commentating on tournaments in Pakistan and abroad. But the pull of the game remained strong. "I've always wanted to give back to cricket," she says. "Officiating allows me to stay close to the action while contributing in a new way." Her recent stint officiating the PCB National Women's Under-19 T20 tournament in Karachi gave her a taste of the role, and she's now committed to building her future on this side of the boundary. ### A Career Worth Celebrating Imtiaz's playing career spanned 13 years, during which she represented Pakistan in 40 international matches – 19 ODIs and 21 T20Is. She made her T20I debut in October 2010 against South Africa in Potchefstroom, and her ODI debut followed a year later against Ireland in Fatullah. In ODIs, she took 10 wickets at an average of 51.40, while in T20Is, she claimed 8 wickets with an economy rate of 5.82. She was part of the Pakistan teams that won gold at the Asian Games in 2010 (China) and 2014 (South Korea), and she also played in the 2017 World Cup and the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Her final ODI was against Australia at the Gabba in January 2023, and her last T20I came against Thailand in Sylhet during the 2022 Asia Cup. ### Following in Her Mother's Footsteps Imtiaz's decision to become a match referee is inspired by her mother, Saleema Imtiaz, who was the first Pakistani woman to join the ICC's international development panel as an umpire. Saleema has officiated in 9 women's ODIs and 69 women's T20Is, and Kainat now aims to carve out a similar legacy. "My mother showed me that women can thrive in officiating," Imtiaz says. "I want to continue that tradition." Her move also mirrors that of former teammate Aiman Anwar, who retired in August with the same goal. Together, they represent a growing trend of Pakistani women cricketers transitioning into officiating roles after their playing days. ### What's Next for Imtiaz? Imtiaz has already begun her new chapter, starting with domestic assignments like the Under-19 T20 tournament in Karachi. She's eager to climb the ranks and eventually officiate at the international level. "It's a different kind of pressure," she admits. "But I'm ready for the challenge." Her ultimate goal? To stand in a World Cup final – this time as a referee, not a player. For more sports news and updates, keep an eye on our blog.