Kainat Imtiaz Retires From International Cricket After 13-Year Pakistan Career

Pakistan women’s fast bowler Kainat Imtiaz has announced her retirement from international cricket, closing a 13-year career in which she wore the green shirt in 19 one-day internationals and 21 Twenty20 internationals. The Kainat Imtiaz retirement was confirmed on Sunday, with the right-arm pacer saying she was moving on to the next chapter of her life in the game.

She made her debut for Pakistan back in 2010 and remained part of the national setup for over a decade, representing the country at World Cups, Commonwealth Games and two Asian Games.

A journey that began in school cricket

Kainat’s cricketing story started in February 2007, when she turned out for the Karachi Schools under-17 side at the PCB National Schools U17 Women’s Championship. She made her domestic List A debut in March 2008 and played her first domestic T20 later that year.

Her international breakthrough came in October 2010, when she made her T20I debut against South Africa in Potchefstroom, becoming Pakistan’s 22nd women’s T20I cap. She earned her ODI cap against Ireland in Fatullah, Bangladesh, as Pakistan’s 64th ODI player.

Gold medals and World Cup cricket

The highlight years of her career came in Pakistan colours at major multi-sport events. Kainat was part of the Pakistan women’s squads that won gold at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou and again at the 2014 edition in Incheon, South Korea. She also represented Pakistan at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

At the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017, she featured in four matches for Pakistan. Her final ODI appearance came against Australia at the Gabba in January 2023, while her last T20I was against Thailand in Sylhet in October 2022.

Cricket runs in the family

Kainat comes from a household deeply connected to the game. Her mother, Saleema Imtiaz, became Pakistan’s first woman umpire to be named on the ICC International Development Panel in 2024, and has since stood in nine women’s ODIs and 69 women’s T20Is.

The pair have been seen as pioneers in their respective roles, with Kainat among the longest-serving members of Pakistan’s pace attack during her playing years.

From player to match referee

Kainat has already begun her second innings in cricket. She recently started work as a match referee and officiated at the PCB National Women’s U19 T20 Tournament held in August and September this year, signalling a move into administration and officiating rather than coaching.

Her retirement leaves Pakistan’s women’s team with one fewer experienced seamer, at a time when the side is rebuilding its bowling stocks with younger talent coming through the domestic circuit.

When did Kainat Imtiaz retire?

Kainat Imtiaz announced her retirement from international cricket on October 4, 2026, after a 13-year career with Pakistan.

How many matches did Kainat Imtiaz play for Pakistan?

She played 19 ODIs and 21 T20Is for Pakistan, making her T20I debut in October 2010 and her ODI debut against Ireland in Bangladesh.

What were Kainat Imtiaz’s biggest achievements?

She won Asian Games gold medals with Pakistan in 2010 and 2014, played at the 2017 Women’s World Cup and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Who is Kainat Imtiaz’s mother?

Her mother is Saleema Imtiaz, Pakistan’s first woman umpire on the ICC International Development Panel, appointed in 2024.