Pakistan pacer Kainat Imtiaz announces international retirement to begin new innings as match official

Pakistan pacer Kainat Imtiaz has announced her retirement from international cricket to pursue a career as a match referee. Imtiaz recently officiated matches in the PCB National Women's Under-19 T20 Tournament, which was held in August and September. Her decision to officiate as a match referee is reminiscent of her mother, Saleema Imtiaz, who was the first Pakistani woman umpire to join the ICC's international development panel. Saleema officiated in nine WODIs and 69 WT20Is.

Imtiaz played 40 international matches for Pakistan. In 19 ODIs, she claimed 10 wickets as a right-arm pacer at an average of 51.40 and an economy rate of 6.04. Her best bowling figures in the format, 3/49, came against West Indies Women on February 7, 2019.

She also represented Pakistan in 21 T20Is, taking eight wickets at an average of 20.37 and an economy rate of 5.82. Imtiaz was a member of the Pakistan side that won the gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, defeating Bangladesh by 10 wickets in the final after chasing down 93 with 26 balls to spare.

She was also part of the squad that successfully defended the title at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. Pakistan once again defeated Bangladesh in the final to secure back-to-back gold medals.

She made her ODI debut against Ireland women in Fatullah on November 15, 2011. Her last ODI appearance came against the mighty Aussies in Brisbane on January 18, 2023. Kainat received her T20I cap against South Africa women in Potchefstroom on October 16, 2010, and her last T20I game came in Sylhet against Thailand on October 6, 2022.

Imtiaz has been working as a broadcaster, primarily commentating in local and international tournaments, and will now officiate as a match referee around the world. She joins former Pakistan teammate Aiman Anwar, who also became a match referee after retiring from international cricket in August.