Shabnim Ismail, a former South African bowler, made history on Tuesday by bowling the quickest delivery in women’s cricket history. While participating in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India, the right arm burst beyond the 130 km/h barrier.
Shabnim Ismail’s Historic Moment
Ismail broke the record during the Mumbai Indians’ Women’s Premier League (WPL) match against the Delhi Capitals at Arun Jaitley Stadium with a delivery that measured at 132.1 km/h (82.08 mph).
On the second ball of the third over of the contest, Ismail struck the pad of former Australia captain Meg Lanning with a thunderbolt that was the first delivery in women’s cricket history to be recorded at a speed of more than 130 km/h.
Ismail’s Impressive Career Statistics
Ismail bowled at 128 km/h (79.54 mph) against the West Indies in 2016 and twice during the most recent ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2022. She represented South Africa in all eight previous ICC Women’s T20 World Cups and only gave up on international cricket after last year’s domestic competition.
Ismail (34) had a 16-year international career that included 127 ODIs, 113 T20Is, and one Test match for South Africa. The South African, who took 317 wickets in international play, was hailed as the fastest bowler in women’s cricket. She has taken 123 wickets in T20Is, 191 ODIs, and 3 Test wickets in her career in international cricket.
Post-Match Reflections by Ismail
In a post-match interview, Ismail downplayed her attempt to break the record, saying she “does not actually look at the big screen when I am bowling.” Ismail’s efforts were in futile as the Indians lost to the Capitals by 29 runs in Delhi after she bowled four costly overs and finished with statistics of 1/46.
Mumbai chose to field first, and the Delhi Capitals scored 192/4 in their 20 overs. Jemimah Rodrigues (69* in 33 balls, with eight fours and three sixes) and captain Lanning (53 in 38 balls, with six fours and two sixes) both scored half-centuries for the team. MI lost wickets quickly in the 193 chase, and at one stage they were 68/5.
MI put up a fight, but lost by a large margin at 163/8, thanks to knocks by Amanjot Kaur (42 in 27 balls, with seven fours) and Sajeevan Sajana (24 in 14 balls, with three fours and a six). DC’s best bowlers were Jess Jonassen (3/21) and Marizanne Kapp (2/37). With eight points and four wins in five games, DC has surged to the top of the standings. With three victories in five games and six points, MI is ranked third.
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