Pakistan women’s fast bowler Kainat Imtiaz has announced her retirement from international cricket, bringing the curtain down on a 13-year career with the national team.
The right-arm pacer represented Pakistan in 19 One-Day Internationals and 21 T20 Internationals during her international career.
Kainat made her T20I debut against South Africa in Potchefstroom in October 2010, becoming Pakistan women’s 22nd T20I cap. She later made her ODI debut against Ireland in Fatullah, Bangladesh, earning ODI cap No. 64.
She was part of Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017, where she featured in four matches.
Kainat also represented Pakistan at the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games, helping the women’s team win gold medals in China and South Korea respectively. She was also part of Pakistan’s squad at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
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.
Kainat’s cricket journey began in February 2007 when she represented the Karachi Schools U17 team in the PCB National Schools U17 Women’s Championship.
She made her domestic List A debut in March 2008 before making her T20 debut later that year.
Following her retirement from international cricket, Kainat has already started a new chapter in the sport. She recently worked as a match referee during the PCB National Women’s U19 T20 Tournament held in August and September.
Cricket has also been a family affair for Kainat. Her mother, Saleema Imtiaz, became Pakistan’s first woman umpire on the ICC International Development Panel in 2024.
Saleema has since officiated nine Women’s ODIs and 69 Women’s T20 Internationals, marking another significant contribution to Pakistan women’s cricket.
