As a big boost to the South African women’s cricket team, their all-time leading wicket-taker, Shabnim Ismail, decided to make a sensational return from her international retirement just in time to be part of the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales. Ismail announced her retirement in 2023 after the conclusion of the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, where the hosts lost to Australia in the final. One of the fastest bowlers in women’s cricket, Ismail, retired citing personal reasons.
The unfinished business of Shabnim Ismail
Although Ismail was out of the international circuit, she was a regular in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), CPL, and The Hundred. The record holder for the fastest delivery in the women’s game has been among the leading wicket-takers in T20 cricket since her retirement, and the best seamer. Ismail claimed a total of 99 wickets in 90 T20 games across the Hundred, the WBBL, WCPL, and WPL, behind spinners Hayley Matthews and Jess Jonassen. Just a few months ago in the WPL, she played for the Mumbai Indians and picked up 6 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of just 6.17 in seven matches.
However, she has reversed her decision. According to her, there is some unfinished business left. Shabnim Ismail, who made her debut for the Proteas women’s team in 2007, is a legend in the game with more than 300 international wickets. She is South Africa’s all-time leading wicket-taker in both ODIs (191) and T20Is (123). No wonder her comeback will be a huge moral boost for the South Africa team in the T20 World Cup. The veteran will also provide invaluable experience and guidance to the younger lot led by Laura Woolvardt, who is itching to go and get their first-ever ICC Trophy.
Fire and ice reunited
Fortunately for the Proteas, this means Ismail will unite with her old-time bowling partner Marizanne Kapp. The experienced bowling attack could be expected to throw significant challenges to the opposition. Their opening is still one of the most lethal and iconic opening bowling partnerships in international women’s cricket history. While Ismail brings raw pace and pushes batters onto the back foot, Kapp trusts the line and length. In tandem, they keep pressure during the Powerplay and trigger the top-order collapse.
The missing piece in South Africa Women squad
South Africa’s women’s team, meanwhile, failed to cross the final hurdle in the last three ICC tournaments, the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the ODI World Cup in 2025 – they lost the final in both events. Something was missing. The dots were not connecting. The coach, Mandla Mashimbyi, after announcing the squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, said, “When I got the job, one of the things was to see why she’s not part of the team.”
The Indian women’s cricket team faced a similar challenge before finally winning an ICC title at home by defeating South Africa in the ODI World Cup final. After Dane van Niekerk and now with Ismail also back in the national side, South Africa women can hope to make things work better and achieve the ultimate milestone.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, 2026: 12 Teams, Groups, All Squads
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