Kainat Imtiaz's Unexpected Retirement: From Fast Bowler to Match Referee

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-05

Pakistan's right-arm fast bowler Kainat Imtiaz has decided to retire from international cricket. But she's not leaving the game behind. Instead, she's trading her playing kit for a match referee's coat. And honestly, it's a move that makes a lot of sense. After 13 years of international cricket, Imtiaz is ready for a new chapter. She recently officiated matches in the PCB National Women's Under-19 T20 tournament in Karachi, which ran from August to September. That experience gave her a taste of life on the other side of the boundary rope—and she liked it. ### Why This Transition Matters Imtiaz isn't the first cricketer to move into officiating. But her story stands out because she's following in her mother's footsteps. Her mom, Saleema Imtiaz, was the first Pakistani woman to join the ICC's international development panel as an umpire. She's officiated in nine women's ODIs and 69 women's T20Is. Now, Kainat aims to build a similar legacy. "I've always admired my mother's work," Imtiaz said in a recent interview. "She showed me that you can contribute to cricket long after your playing days are over." That's a powerful message, especially for young girls in Pakistan who dream of a future in sports beyond just playing. ### A Career Worth Celebrating Imtiaz's playing record speaks for itself. She represented Pakistan in 40 international matches—19 ODIs and 21 T20Is. Her debut came in October 2010, a T20I against South Africa in Potchefstroom. A year later, she played her first ODI against Ireland in Fatullah. Here's a quick look at her stats: - ODIs: 10 wickets at an average of 51.40 - T20Is: 8 wickets with an economy rate of 5.82 But numbers only tell part of the story. Imtiaz was part of the Pakistan teams that won gold medals at the Asian Games in 2010 (China) and 2014 (South Korea). She also played in the 2017 World Cup and the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Her last ODI was against Australia at the Gabba in January 2023. Her final T20I came against Thailand in Sylhet during the 2022 Asia Cup. ### From Broadcasting to Officiating Since stepping away from international cricket, Imtiaz has worked as a broadcaster. She's presented and commentated on tournaments in Pakistan and abroad. That role kept her close to the game, but now she's ready for something more hands-on. "Commentary was great, but I missed being on the field," she admitted. "Refereeing lets me stay involved in a different way." Imtiaz is the second former Pakistan women's cricketer to move into match refereeing recently. Aiman Anwar retired in August with the same goal. Together, they represent a growing trend of women transitioning from playing to officiating roles. ### What's Next for Imtiaz? For now, Imtiaz is focused on domestic assignments. Her work at the Under-19 T20 tournament was just the beginning. She hopes to climb the ranks and eventually officiate at the international level, just like her mother. It's a journey that requires patience and dedication. But if her playing career is any indication, Imtiaz has both in spades. And who knows? Maybe one day we'll see her standing in the middle of a World Cup final, making the tough calls. That would be a full-circle moment for a player who gave so much to the game. For more sports news and updates, follow JeetWin Blog!