Best of Shabnim Ismail in international cricket

One of the quickest bowlers in the women’s game, Ismail leaves behind a rich legacy for young girls in the sport to take inspiration from.

Ismail's career reached a zenith in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023 when she delivered a telling spell to help South Africa book a spot in the final of a World Cup event for the first time.

We look at some of her best spells, including that terrific performance in the all-important knockout clash.

3 for 27 vs England, 2023

Ayabonga Khaka’s four-wicket haul and the heroics of openers Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt kind of took the sheen off one of Ismail’s best performances for South Africa. That it came in a knockout game, often labelled as South Africa’s nemesis, further made it special.

Chasing 165 to win, England had gotten off to a flier when Ismail put the brakes on their scoring rate with the wickets of Sophia Dunkley and Alice Capsey in the final over of the Powerplay.

With the game running down to the wire as skipper Heather Knight led the charge, Ismail came back to deliver the most telling blow in the game — ripping out her stumps with four balls left in the match. England ended agonisingly short of the target as South Africa made the T20 World Cup final.

6 for 10 vs Netherlands, 2011

Ismail produced her career-best performance in ODIs in a Cricket World Cup qualifier game against Netherlands in 2011.

As South Africa bowled Netherlands out for a measly 36, Ismail’s stirring spell of 8.3-3-10-6 stood tall. The fast bowler had completed a five-wicket haul by the 11th over, leaving Netherland reeling at 18/7 at that point.

South Africa legend announces international retirement

5 for 8 vs Ireland

Taking wickets in plenty while leaking few runs wasn’t a one-off in Ismail’s glowing career. Last year, Ireland was at the receiving end of one of her bouts of fury. The South African ran through the Irish batting line-up in Dublin in the third ODI of a bilateral series between the sides.

She snared Ireland’s top three for 1, 0 and 0 inside her first three overs. She added a fourth wicket in her next over as Ireland crumbled to 8/4. Ismail finished her spell with mind-blowing figures of 8.5-4-8-5.

4 for 41 vs Australia, 2013

With just 188 on board in this Cricket World Cup game in 2013, South Africa were in trouble against the strong Australian side.

But Ismail plugged holes into Australia’s ship to bring some balance to the game. She had Jess Duffin and Alex Blackwell dismissed in the 11th over to leave Australia at 34/3.

With Rachael Haynes running away with the game, Ismail came back to dismiss her for 83 and then sent back Sarah Coyte in her next over to dent Australia’s progress. Australia eventually won by three wickets, but not before Ismail had given them a proper scare.

5 for 12 vs Pakistan, 2021

In Durban in 2021, Ismail bowled a sensational spell against Pakistan in a T20I to help defend a total of 133.

The fast bowler dismissed three of the top four batters and then sent back top-scorers Aliya Riaz and Ayesha Naseem in the final over to finish with career-best T20I figures of 5/12.

5 for 30 vs India, 2018

Ismail produced a brilliant spell in 2018 against India in a T20I in Johannesburg, claiming figures of 5/30 as South Africa beat India to stay alive in a five-match bilateral series.

Batting first, India were on the run with Harmanpreet Kaur racing towards a half-century, but Ismail put the brakes on India’s innings by dismissing Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues in the same over.

She played a part in wiping up the tail as India went from 93/2 to 133 all out in a little over six overs. Ismail’s spell proved crucial in restricting the Indians as South Africa romped home by five wickets.