Aoba Tanaka 
In a groundbreaking moment for women’s cricket, South African pacer Shabnim Ismail achieved a historic milestone by breaching the 130kph barrier, recording a thunderous 132.1kph delivery during the Women’s Premier League (WPL) match between her team Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals in Delhi on Tuesday.
The momentous delivery occurred as Ismail bowled the second ball of the third over to Delhi Capitals’ captain Meg Lanning. Despite missing the delivery, Lanning was struck on the front pad, prompting an lbw appeal from Mumbai, which was, however, turned down. When asked about the fastest delivery she had bowled, Ismail revealed that she doesn’t check the big screen while bowling, indicating her focus and commitment on the field.
This remarkable achievement follows Ismail’s previous feat in the opening game of the tournament, where she recorded a delivery at 128.3kph against the same opponent, Delhi Capitals. Despite facing challenges with an injury that sidelined her for a couple of games, Ismail made a triumphant return to action on Tuesday, showcasing her unparalleled pace.
On the international stage, Ismail already holds the record for the fastest delivery in women’s cricket, having bowled at 128kph against West Indies in 2016. Additionally, she surpassed the 127kph mark twice during the 2022 ODI World Cup.
However, despite her record-breaking speed, Ismail faced challenges during Tuesday’s game. Opening the bowling for Mumbai, she struggled with erratic full deliveries and frequently bowled on the pads. Shafali Verma, in particular, capitalized on this, hitting consecutive sixes at the start of Ismail’s third over. Ismail managed to dismiss Verma for 28 but not before giving her an aggressive send-off. The pacer concluded the match with figures of 1 for 46 from her four overs in the top-of-the-table clash.
Shabnim Ismail, who retired from international cricket in May 2023, concluding a distinguished 16-year career, has played 241 international games and secured 317 wickets across formats. Now a regular in T20 leagues globally, Ismail continues to make an impact, showcasing her prowess and contributing to the evolution of women’s cricket.
