Shathira Jakir Jessy biography highlights her remarkable journey as a trailblazing figure in Bangladeshi sports. Born in Lalmonirhat, she defied societal norms to pursue her passion for cricket and eventually made history in officiating. She is widely celebrated as the first female umpire from Bangladesh to be appointed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) panel, a monumental achievement for regional athletics.

Her dedication to the game extends far beyond playing and umpiring, as she has also worked extensively as a commentator and sports presenter. Shathira has continuously broken barriers for women in a fiercely male-dominated field, serving as a powerful role model for young girls in Bangladesh and across the broader Asian continent. Her voice in the commentary box is as respected as her decisions on the field.

Through her incredible resilience and unwavering commitment, she has firmly cemented her legacy in the international sports community. As of 2026, she continues to officiate major global tournaments, proudly representing her nation on the world stage. Her ongoing advocacy for equal pay and gender parity in athletics further solidifies her status as a champion for women's empowerment in modern sports. She remains an inspiring emblem of progress, continually proving that determination can overcome even the most entrenched systemic obstacles.

👤 Profile at a Glance

Full Name Shathira Jakir Jessy
Nickname Jessy
Date of Birth November 30, 1990
Age 35 years old
Birthplace Lalmonirhat, Bangladesh
Nationality Bangladeshi
Profession Umpire and Former Cricketer
Education Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC), Lalmonirhat
Marital Status Married
Children 1
Net Worth Under Review (2026)

🎓 Education

Shathira completed her Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams in Lalmonirhat before fully committing to the national cricket team in 2007. Despite the intense academic pressures typical of a South Asian household, her parents fully supported her sporting ambitions, allowing her to balance her studies with rigorous physical training.

💼 Career

Shathira made her One Day International (ODI) debut for Bangladesh against Ireland on November 26, 2011. She played as a right-arm off-break bowler and was a vital part of the team that won a prestigious silver medal at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

Her international playing career included two ODIs and one T20I, with her last appearance coming against South Africa in September 2013. After being unfairly dropped from the team due to marriage-related biases from the coaching staff, she fought back relentlessly to reclaim her spot in the sport she loved.

Transitioning from playing, Shathira successfully explored sports broadcasting, hosting prominent television shows and providing expert commentary for both national and international matches. She actually passed her umpiring test way back in 2009 but faced a painfully long wait for actual on-field opportunities.

Inspired by witnessing other female umpires at the 2022 Asia Cup, she returned to officiating, bravely starting with domestic men's divisional matches despite facing local backlash. In March 2024, the Bangladesh Cricket Board formally appointed her as one of its very first female umpires, marking a turning point in national sports administration.

Her career reached historic heights when she officiated at the Women's Asia Cup and became the first Bangladeshi woman umpire empanelled in the ICC International Panel. By 2026, she had officiated in numerous high-profile matches, including groundbreaking appointments as a match official in men's T20I series, solidifying her legendary status. Furthermore, her consistent presence in ICC Under-19 qualifiers and major World Cup preparations has underscored her reliability and technical expertise. She continues to travel the globe, carrying the flag for Bangladeshi match officials at the highest echelons of competitive cricket.

🏠 Personal Life

Shathira was born into a highly supportive family in Lalmonirhat; her father worked as a banker and her mother was a dedicated head teacher. They passionately encouraged her sporting dreams even when there was absolutely no formal women's cricket structure or training facilities available in her hometown.

She faced significant personal and professional hurdles, including being temporarily dropped from the national team in 2012 simply for getting married. However, she demonstrated immense mental fortitude to aggressively overcome these systemic setbacks, lose weight, train harder, and joyfully return to the game she loved.

She is a proud mother to a daughter and famously played through her first trimester of pregnancy, incredibly returning to the pitch just three months after giving birth. Shathira is also a highly vocal advocate for gender equality, fiercely championing equal pay and equal respect for female athletes across all disciplines.

🏆 Achievements & Awards

  • Silver Medal at the 2010 Asian Games
  • First Bangladeshi female umpire in the ICC International Panel
  • First Bangladeshi female umpire to officiate a Men's T20I (2025)
  • Officiated at the 2024 Women's Asia Cup

💬 Notable Quotes

It doesn't matter if we're boys or girls; when we're on the field wearing our jerseys, we're all playing for the same team—we play for the country.

— Shathira Jakir Jessy

Treat everyone with equal respect, regardless of gender.

— Shathira Jakir Jessy

Cricket is my one true love. It keeps me alive with its joy and the excitement on the field.

— Shathira Jakir Jessy

❓ People Also Ask

Shathira Jakir is famous for being a former Bangladesh national cricketer and making history as the first Bangladeshi woman to join the ICC International Panel of Umpires.
Born on 1990-11-30, Shathira Jakir is 35 years old as of 2026.
Her exact net worth is currently under review, but she earns a stable professional income through her contract as an ICC panel umpire and sports commentator.
She was born in Lalmonirhat, a district in northern Bangladesh, where she initially struggled to find opportunities for women's cricket.
Yes, she is married and has a daughter, famously balancing her family life with her groundbreaking umpiring career.
Her major achievements include winning a silver medal at the 2010 Asian Games and becoming the first woman from Bangladesh to officiate an ICC World Cup match and a Men's T20I series.