South Africa’s stalwart Shabnim Ismail announces retirement from all forms of cricket
Veteran South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail brought the curtains down on a glittering career on Wednesday by announcing her retirement from the international game.
In a statement shared by Cricket South Africa (CSA) on social media, Ismail said she was looking forward to spending more time with her family after a 16-year run with the Proteas.
South African stalwart and an Inspiration for millions
The pacer retires with 127 ODIs and 113 T20Is under her belt besides a solitary Test appearance against Netherlands in 2007. She retires with more than 300 international wickets to her credit, 191 of which have come in ODIs alone. On top of that, She finishes her international career as the second-highest wicket-taker in ODIs and as the leading wicket-taker for South Africa across all formats.
She has earned a reputation as one of the fastest female bowlers in the world, with her top recorded speed reaching 128 kilometres per hour (80 mph). She has played in every editions of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 tournament since its inception in 2009. She has featured in ICC World Twenty20 on eight occasions in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2023.
During her early years, she was a second change bowler and later transformed herself to a frontline bowler leading the bowling attack from the front and usually opened the bowling. She has been a vital cog of South African bowling attack for over a decade.
Inspired by the physical intensity and aggression of South African seamer Dale Steyn, Ismail is famous for going about her business on the opposition batters. And that is what makes her an ideal figure for several female budding faster bowlers.
‘Cricket will always hold a special place in my heart,’ says Shabnim Ismail after announcing retirement
Ismail, considered among the quickest in the women’s game, last played for South Africa in the T20 World Cup earlier this year in which the spirited Sune Luus-led Proteas made it all the way to the final, where they ended up losing against defending champions Australia.
“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,” said Ismail in her official retirement statement yesterday.
“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.
“They have always been my biggest support, and I want to be able to be there for them in the way they have been there for me over the past 16 years.”
Ismail has inspired many around the world with her fiercely competitive spirit.
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