# Kainat Imtiaz retires from international cricket to become a match referee

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/kainat-imtiaz-retires-from-international-cricket-to-become-a-match-referee)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 4 Oct 2026
Updated: 4 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 4 Oct 2026

> The two-time Asian Games gold medallist played 40 internationals for Pakistan over 13 years and now follows her mother, umpire Saleema Imtiaz, into officiating.

**Pakistan fast bowler Kainat Imtiaz has retired from international cricket** to become a match referee, [ESPNcricinfo reported](https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1557115.html) on Sunday 4 October 2026. The right-arm quick played **40 internationals for Pakistan (19 ODIs and 21 T20Is)** across 13 years, and has already started her new job: she refereed matches in the PCB National Women's Under-19 T20 tournament in Karachi in August and September.

She is the second former Pakistan women's player to swap playing for refereeing in two months, after Aiman Anwer retired in August for the same reason.

## Kainat Imtiaz career in numbers

| | ODIs | T20Is |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Matches | 19 | 21 |
| Wickets | 10 | 8 |
| Average or economy | 51.40 average | 5.82 runs an over |
| Debut | 2011 v Ireland, Fatullah | October 2010 v South Africa, Potchefstroom |
| Last match | January 2023 v Australia, the Gabba | 2022 Asia Cup v Thailand, Sylhet |

## Two Asian Games golds

Kainat was part of the Pakistan sides that won **gold at the 2010 Asian Games in China and the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea**, Pakistan women's cricket's two biggest titles. She also played the 2017 Women's World Cup and the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The timing echoes this year's Games: last month the current side, captained by Fatima Sana, won bronze in Japan, part of Pakistan's best Asian Games haul since 2002 ([all 10 medals](/news/sports/asian-games-2026-schedule-pakistan-time)).

## Following her mother into officiating

Since her last game for Pakistan, Kainat has worked as a presenter and commentator in Pakistan and abroad. Refereeing keeps it in the family: her mother, **Saleema Imtiaz**, was the first Pakistani woman umpire named to the ICC's international development panel and has stood in nine women's ODIs and 69 women's T20Is.

A match referee does not umpire. She runs the game off the field: checks the over rate, hears reports on conduct, rules on code-of-conduct charges and penalties, and signs off the playing conditions with both captains. With the ICC's new five-run penalty for time wasting starting this month ([the new rules explained](/news/cricket/new-icc-rules-five-run-penalty-for-time-wasting-pakistan-first-series)), the job is getting busier.

## What it means for Pakistan women's cricket

Kainat had not played for Pakistan since January 2023, so the national squad does not change. The current squad, fixtures and results are on our [Pakistan women's cricket team page](/news/cricket/pakistan-womens-cricket-team-squad-captain-fixtures-and-results). For the men's side, the next series is at home: [Pakistan vs Sri Lanka tickets](/news/cricket/pakistan-vs-sri-lanka-tickets) and the [tri-series schedule and squads](/news/cricket/pakistan-tri-series-schedule-results).

## Frequently asked questions

**Why did Kainat Imtiaz retire?**

To become a match referee. She has already refereed in the PCB National Women's Under-19 T20 tournament in Karachi.

**How many matches did Kainat Imtiaz play for Pakistan?**

40: 19 ODIs with 10 wickets and 21 T20Is with 8 wickets, between 2010 and 2023.

## Sources

- Kainat Imtiaz retires from internationals to become match referee (4 Oct 2026) (ESPNcricinfo): https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1557115.html

How to cite: "Kainat Imtiaz retires from international cricket to become a match referee", Searchable, 4 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/kainat-imtiaz-retires-from-international-cricket-to-become-a-match-referee