Kainat Imtiaz Retires From International Cricket After 13-Year Career

Pakistan fast bowler Kainat Imtiaz has announced her retirement from international cricket after a 13-year career with the national team. Kainat Imtiaz announces retirement after representing Pakistan in 19 ODIs and 21 T20Is, with her career including appearances at the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The right-arm pacer has already begun working in a new role within the game. She served as a match referee at the PCB National Women’s U19 T20 Tournament held in August and September, following her transition from playing to match officiating.

A Career Across major International Events

Kainat was part of Pakistan’s gold-medal-winning women’s cricket teams at the 2010 Asian Games in China and the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea. She also featured in four matches at the 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and represented Pakistan at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Her international career started with her T20I debut against South Africa in Potchefstroom in October 2010. She later made her ODI debut against Ireland in Fatullah, Bangladesh.

Her final T20I appearance came against Thailand in Sylhet in October 2022, while her last ODI was against Australia at the Gabba in January 2023.

From School Cricket to Match Referee

Kainat began playing competitive cricket in 2007 with the Karachi Schools U17 side at the PCB National Schools U17 Women’s Championship. She progressed to List A cricket in March 2008 before making her T20 debut later that year.

Cricket has also been a family connection for Kainat. Her mother, Saleema Imtiaz, became Pakistan’s first woman umpire appointed to the ICC International Development Panel in 2024. She has since officiated in nine women’s ODIs and 69 women’s T20Is.

Kainat Imtiaz retires from International Cricket with 40 international appearances to her name and has now moved into match officiating, keeping her involved in the women’s game beyond her playing career.

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