Saleema Imtiaz has become the first Pakistani woman to be named in the International Cricket Council's (ICC) International Panel of Development Umpires, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Sunday. Salima's nomination to the panel means she is now eligible to officiate in women's bilateral international matches and ICC Women's events. So who is she? Let's know.
What did mummy say?
Salima Imtiaz has become the first Pakistani woman umpire to be included in the ICC International Development Panel. Salima also mentioned her daughter Kainaat Imtiaz, who has played 40 international matches for Pakistan, including 19 ODIs and 21 T20Is. "It's not just my victory, it's the victory of every Pakistani woman cricketer and umpire. I hope that my success will inspire women to make their mark in sports.
Pakistan's first female...
Salima joined the PCB's Women's Umpire Panel in 2008 and has officiated in several Asian Cricket Council tournaments in the last three years. This is Salima's first assignment on the field in a bilateral series. Salima will be seen officiating for the first time in the T20 series between Pakistan and South Africa starting on Monday. She will be joined by PCB international umpires Faisal Afridi and Nasir Hussain as TV umpires. Humaira Farah will be the fourth umpire and Mohammad Javed Malik of the PCB International Panel of Umpires will be the match referee.
Salima Imtiaz's journey
Salima's career hasn't been easy from the start. In Pakistan, women's cricket umpiring was a field to which very few women had access. Imtiaz's journey has been very inspiring and interesting, in which she has made a special identity for herself in the world of cricket with her hard work and dedication. Salima's association with cricket is not as a player or coach, but as an umpire, which is a special achievement in the field of women's sports.