Pakistan fast bowler Kainat Imtiaz has announced her retirement from international cricket, bringing the curtain down on a 13-year career as she begins a new chapter as a match referee.
The right-arm seamer recently officiated in the PCB National Women’s Under-19 T20 Tournament held in Karachi during August and September, marking the first step in her transition from player to official.
She becomes the latest former Pakistan women’s international to pursue officiating after fellow fast bowler Aiman Anwar made the same career move earlier this year.
Thirteen Years Representing Pakistan
Imtiaz made her international debut in October 2010 during a T20I against South Africa in Potchefstroom before earning her first ODI cap against Ireland in Fatullah the following year.
Across her international career, she represented Pakistan in:
- 19 Women’s ODIs
- 21 Women’s T20 Internationals
She claimed 10 ODI wickets and eight T20I wickets, while contributing as one of Pakistan’s pace-bowling options across multiple ICC and multi-sport tournaments.
Her final international appearance came in January 2023, when she played an ODI against Australia at the Gabba. Her last T20I had come earlier, during the 2022 Women’s Asia Cup against Thailand in Sylhet.
Asian Games Gold and Global Tournaments
Imtiaz was part of one of Pakistan women’s cricket’s most successful generations.
She helped Pakistan win Asian Games gold medals in:
- Guangzhou 2010
- Incheon 2014
She also represented Pakistan at the:
- 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup
- 2022 Commonwealth Games
These tournaments formed the highlights of an international career spanning more than a decade.
Following Her Mother’s Footsteps
Since stepping away from international cricket, Imtiaz has worked extensively in broadcasting as both a presenter and commentator.
She has now chosen to move into officiating, following the path established by her mother, Saleema Imtiaz.
Saleema became the first Pakistani woman umpire to join the ICC International Development Panel and has officiated in numerous women’s international matches, making her one of Pakistan’s pioneering match officials.
Kainat has already gained practical experience by officiating domestic Under-19 women’s fixtures and is expected to continue developing her career as a match referee.
Second Pakistan International to Make the Switch
Imtiaz follows former Pakistan fast bowler Aiman Anwar, who retired from international cricket in August after persistent knee injuries prevented her from continuing at the highest level.
Aiman also made her debut as a match referee during the recent Under-19 Women’s tournament in Karachi.
The 34-year-old represented Pakistan in:
- 8 Women’s ODIs
- 37 Women’s T20Is
Her final international appearance came during the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, before she also moved into officiating while continuing to play domestic cricket.
Pakistan Preparing the Next Generation
The retirements of both Imtiaz and Aiman come as Pakistan continue to refresh their pace-bowling resources.
Emerging fast bowlers such as Waheeda Akhtar, Tasmia Rubab and Saira Jabeen are expected to feature more prominently, while current captain Fatima Sana continues to lead the attack as one of the team’s frontline seamers.
For Imtiaz, however, the focus now shifts from taking wickets to overseeing matches from the officials’ room, opening a new chapter in her long association with Pakistan cricket.
