Shabnim Ismail, a 34-year-old South African fast bowler, has announced her retirement from international cricket.
Shabnim Ismail has taken 317 wickets in 241 games across all three formats. She’d made a “difficult decision” to “move on to the next chapter of my life.”
The seasoned pace bowler, who has a top recorded speed of 80 mph, is the Proteas Women’s all-time wicket-taker in both One Day and Twenty20 formats. She has also established a reputation as one of the fastest female bowlers in the world.
She follows Lizelle Lee and Dane van Niekerk in leaving South Africa in the last year.
“I am so grateful for the opportunities and experiences that I have had,” she said.
“As any athlete knows, training and competing at your best requires a great deal of sacrifice and dedication, and as my siblings and parents get older, I find myself wanting to spend more time with them.”
“I’ve loved being able to compete at the highest level, and I’m so proud to be a part of such a wonderful group of players who have paved the way for women in cricket.” My memories will live on in my heart forever.
“As I enter this new chapter of my life, I am excited to pursue new opportunities and spend more time with those I care about.” Cricket, on the other hand, will always have a special place in my heart, and I will remain a proud ambassador for the sport in South Africa.”
Shabnim Ismail ends his Cricket Career
Ismail, who will play for Welsh Fire in The Hundred this summer, expressed her desire to “continue to perform at the highest level over the next few years.”
The right-armer, who is one of the fastest in women’s cricket, took three wickets in one Test, 191 in 127 one-day internationals, and 123 in 113 T20s.