Naeem Ashraf and Jasmine Naeem became the first husband and wife team to officiate a professional fixture in England together.

The couple oversaw  Saturday's Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy match between Lightning and Western Storm in the university town of Loughborough.

In his playing days Pakistani international all-rounder Naeem Ashraf was also a familiar face on the Lancashire County Cricket circuit turning out for Cherry Tree for a number of years.

The umpires had celebrated their 23-year wedding anniversary just days before Jasmine was one of five umpires at the women's LV= Insurance Test between England and South Africa in Taunton.

Jasmine said: "We've done it together in leagues in Lancashire and Greater Manchester and nobody's realised that we were married.

"Now we're honoured that we're getting this opportunity on such a big stage.”

Naeem said he owed his umpiring career to his wife.

He said: "I played cricket all my life and by accident I got injured and had nothing to do in winter, so my wife said 'what are you doing?' and I just said 'nothing because I can't move anything'.

"I'd had a shoulder operation and she felt there must be something on in cricket and, yes, there was an umpiring course coming up. She told me I should do it, and after I said 'no' I ended up sitting there and loving it."

Jasmine got involved, as she joined Naeem on a course to take notes for him while he was unable to use his arm.

Jasmine told ESPN: "When he went to do his Stage Three course, his arm was still in a cast and he couldn't write. So I ended up coming on the course, sitting there writing notes for him. Then it turned out I knew most of the answers.

"The course leaders started to ask me if I fancied giving it a go. I said 'no' initially. Then one day Naeem sat me down and said 'you've spent your entire life in cricket, and you always wanted to find women that were inspirational, especially for our Asian community. Why don't you stop looking for that inspiration and start being the inspiration for others?'

"Everything I know, I owe it to my husband. He's made me the umpire I am today."

Naeem said: "We've done so much, but we're always looking for the next challenge.

"We're ready, whatever it is. Umpiring is a massive opportunity to everyone. If you're thinking about it and you're prepared to work hard, it'll pay off. Go for it!"

Jasmine has already made history in the game, having last year become the first British Muslim female umpire to officiate at Lord's.

She added: "For me, it's not about race. It's about getting girls to come and play. If I can inspire girls and boys to take up cricket, I think I've done a good job."

"I've loved the game all my life. Cricket is so amazing and it's something I hold very dear to me. You become part of a huge family and cricket has helped me through some really bad times.

"We always believe it's an honour to be British umpires and walk out with the Three Lions on our heart. 

"We're more than proud that we're regarded as positive role models and we want to encourage people from all walks of life to join our amazing cricket family. It's a game without boundaries."