South Africa’s iconic fast bowler Shabnim Ismail announced her retirement from international cricket on Wednesday, May 3. Regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in the women’s division, Shabnim made the decision to spend more time with her family. However, she will continue to feature in various T20 leagues across the globe.
Shabnim, a veteran of the game, made her international debut for South Africa in 2007. She appeared for the national team on 241 occasions, scalping 317 wickets for the Proteas. Her last national outing for South Africa came in her side’s heartbreaking loss against Australia in the final of the T20 World Cup in her hometown.
The 34-year-old pacer, hailing from Cape Town, was one of the driving forces behind South Africa’s run through to the final of the T20 World Cup earlier this year. During South Africa’s clash against England, Shabnim Ismail set the record books straight after bowling the fastest delivery in women’s cricket, clocking 128 kph (80 mph).
“After 16 years proudly representing my country, I have come to the difficult decision to retire from international cricket and move on to the next chapter of my life. As any athlete knows, training and competing at your best requires much sacrifice and dedication, and I now find myself wanting to spend more time with my family, particularly my siblings and parents as they get older,” Ismail said in her statement.
We celebrate and honour an incredible cricketer in Shabnim Ismail: CSA’s Director of Cricket
Cricket South Africa’s Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe hailed the contributions of the iconic cricketer and reckoned she will be sorely missed by her teammates and fans alike at the top level. However, Enoch lauded Ismail’s decision to continue playing domestic cricket, which will inspire the next generation of cricketers around the globe.
“This is a poignant but celebratory moment for South African cricket and the global game as a whole, as we celebrate and honour an incredible cricketer in Shabnim Ismail. She will be sorely missed by the team and all South African cricket fans as she continues to inspire the next generation of cricketers during her remaining domestic career in all parts of the globe,” Enoch Nkwe, Cricket South Africa Director of Cricket, said.