South Africa legend Shabnim Ismail announces international retirement
Ismail cited "wanting to spend more time with my family" as one of the reasons to move on from international cricket and play T20 domestic cricket around the world.
Immense pace, rattled stumps and fiery celebrations – South Africa quick Shabnim Ismail is the complete package. Watch her deliver some rockets!
"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," Ismail said in her statement.
“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's final game for South Africa came in the final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup against Australia. The speedster picked up eight wickets at an average of 16.12 in South Africa's maiden appearance in the final of a World Cup event.
“As I look back on my international career, I am so grateful for all the opportunities and experiences I have had," Ismail said.
"I have loved being able to compete at the highest level and I am so proud of being able to be part of a wonderful group of players who have led the way for women in cricket. The memories I have will stay with me forever."
Ismail, 34, played 127 ODIs, 113 T20Is and a solitary Test for South Africa in an international career spanning 16 years.
Hailed as the fastest bowler in the women's game, the South African collected 317 international wickets. Ismail also grabbed the joint-most Women’s ODI wickets taken in a single calendar year, taking 37 wickets in 2022. This included 14 wickets in the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.
SHABNIM ISMAIL RETIRES 🚨
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) May 3, 2023
Legendary fast bowler Shabnim Ismail has announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket for the Proteas Women with immediate effect to focus on her family 🏏
2⃣4⃣1⃣ internationals
3⃣1⃣7⃣ wickets
Thank you for everything Shabnim 🙏 pic.twitter.com/GqzD9WZNn5
Ismail played in fifty-over World Cups starting from the one in 2009 and also featured in eight Women’s T20 World Cups.
“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," Enoch Nkwe, Cricket South Africa Director of Cricket, said.
“Shabnim has transcended women’s cricket as a fierce competitor with the ability of making any batter uncomfortable at the crease with her rapid pace that regularly surpassed 120kph throughout her career.
“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.