By Bipin Dani

History was created when the two umpires – Naeem Ashraf and Jasmine Naeem – became the first husband and wife couple to officiate a professional fixture in England together.

The pair from Blackburn officiated in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy match between the Lightning and Western Storm at Loughborough. Incidentally, the match was also a special way to mark their 23rd wedding anniversary.

The match was one for the history books and for all z individuals around the world, no matter their race, gender, or religion, they can be a part of cricket as it is a game without boundaries. 

“History is there to be made and we are honoured and proud to have made it as it was time for this to happen and it’s a blessing that we are the ones who made it,” said Jasmine Ashraf, the woman umpire, speaking exclusively over the telephone.

Interestingly, her husband also officiated the next day in a match between visiting Indian players and Northamptonshire.

“We set off on this journey to represent the Asian community and be role models for the next generation of umpires from all over the world, but most of all to be a part of this cricket family and give something back to the game.”

“We are determined to not stop here but to go to the highest level we can together. If the opportunity arises, we will be ready to do our best, no matter what level,” she further added.

According to the woman umpire, it was not difficult to officiate with her husband.

“It is never difficult to umpire together because we encourage and support each other no matter what, as we are life partners on and off the field. We cross the rope and are colleagues who are there to support each other, and then off the field, it becomes a bonus to discuss how we did on the field. It is always an honour to stand together, as we believe the only way we are going to encourage others to join our cricket family is by being out there and doing our utmost best to represent each community.”

“Hopefully, our grandchildren can one day look back at the history books and see that their grandparents were history makers and breakers,” she concluded.