INDIA
Former South African pace bowler Shabnim Ismail etched her name in cricket history on Tuesday, delivering the fastest ball ever recorded in women’s cricket. The momentous occasion took place during a Women’s Premier League (WPL) match in India, where Ismail, representing the Mumbai Indians, faced off against the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
In a display of exceptional speed and skill, Ismail’s right-arm thunderbolt breached the 130km/h barrier, clocking a remarkable speed of 132.1km/h (82.08mph). The delivery, which sent former Australia captain Meg Lanning’s stumps flying, marked the first time in women’s cricket that a ball had exceeded the 130km/h mark.
Ismail, known as the fastest bowler in the women’s game, had previously achieved speeds of 128km/h (79.54mph) against the West Indies in 2016 and 127km/h twice during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2022. Despite retiring from international cricket after last year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Ismail’s blazing pace continues to capture the attention of cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
With an illustrious international career spanning 16 years, Ismail represented South Africa in 127 ODIs, 113 T20Is, and a solitary Test match. Her tally of 317 international wickets, including 191 in ODIs and 123 in T20Is, solidifies her legacy as one of the game’s greatest bowlers.
In a humble response to her record-breaking achievement, Ismail remarked in a post-match interview, “I do not actually look at the big screen when I am bowling.” Despite her outstanding performance, Mumbai Indians suffered a 29-run defeat to the Delhi Capitals in their pursuit of a target of 193 runs.
The victory propelled the Delhi Capitals to the top of the points table with four wins in five games, accumulating eight points. Ismail’s milestone serves as a testament to her unparalleled talent and leaves an indelible mark on the sport of cricket.
