South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail created history in women's T20 World Cup final against Australia at Newlands, Cape Town on February 26. Shabnim became the leading wicket-taker in women's T20 World Cup history with two wickets in the final. Ismail surpassed former England pacer Anya Shrubsole to reach the top.
The 34-year-old now has 43 wickets from 32 T20 World Cup games at an average of 15.25 and economy rate of 15.25. Shrubsole had 41 wickets from 27 games at an average of 12.48.
Shabnim bowled a maiden over to conclude powerplay overs. This was the eighth maiden she bowled in T20 World Cups over the years. This is also the most number of maidens a bowler has bowled in women's T20 World Cup history.
Shabnim was expensive in the final over. She was hit for a six and a four off the first two balls by Australian opener Beth Mooney. On the third ball, Mooney was dropped by Laura Wolvaardt at backward point. She surpassed Shrubsole with the wicket of Ellyse Perry. She followed it up with the wicket of Georgian Wareham. She was on a hat-trick off the final ball of the innings but Tahlia McGrath took a single.
She finished with two wickets in her quota of four overs. The pacer who recorded the fastest ball in women’s cricket at 128 kmph in the semi-final against England, conceded 26 runs in the final.
As Mooney remained unbeaten for 74 off 53 deliveries including nine fours and one six, Australia posted a fighting total of 156/6 in the final.
Shabnim is South Africa's second-highest wicket-taker in women's T20 World Cup 2023 with eight wickets from six games. She has 123 wickets from 113 T20Is at an average of 18.61 including two fifers.In the semi-final, she picked up three wickets against England. Her wickets included England's fiery opener Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey and skipper Heather Knight.
