Former South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail created history of sorts of Tuesday, as she became the first in the history of women’s cricket to breach the 130 kmph barrier, ever, during the WPL match between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals in Delhi. The 35-year-old recorded a speed of 132.1 kmph, in the third over of the match, to Delhi skipper Meg Lanning.
And of course, the legendary Lanning also failed to get her bat down in time, with the ball hitting her pad. Although the lbw appeal was turned down by the umpire. Asked about the same, after the match, Ismail made it clear that she doesn’t look at the big screen while bowling.
In fact, in her last match against Delhi, she had achieved the speed of 128.3 kmph, and famously went on to say, that she wanted to breach the 130 kmph mark.
Shabnim Ismail Fastest Bowler in International Cricket Too
Ismail holds the record for the fastest delivery in women’s cricket too. She bowled one 128 kmph ball against the West Indies in 2016, and more recently, had bowled a 127 kmph delivery at the 2022 World Cup. Meanwhile, the South African retired from international cricket in May 2023, after the T20 World Cup, to focus on the T20 leagues around the world.