The Excitement and Fervour of Shabnim Ismail
On a magical evening in February, during a function hosted by the Cape Town government to welcome players participating in the T20 World Cup, Shabnim Ismail’s playful side was on display.
As one of her opponents approached, Ismail playfully stuck out her leg in a mock attempt to trip her.
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The two players laughed, providing a glimpse of a side of Ismail that is often overlooked: her mischievous sense of fun.
However, Ismail is more commonly known for her fiery on-field demeanor as a fast bowler, standing at 1.65 meters and weighing 60 kilograms.
She is known to lash out with gestures, facial expressions, and verbal attacks towards both opponents and teammates alike.
Despite this, Ismail’s aggression has proven effective, allowing her to become one of the best in her field.
Ismail has even declared herself “the fastest bowler in the world” and backed up her claim with impressive numbers.
Any challengers to her title will undoubtedly face a difficult task.
Shabnim Ismail has become one of the all-time greats in cricket, transcending the sport in South Africa and becoming a leading wicket-taker in both white-ball formats.
Ismail has been a central figure in South Africa’s attack for the past 16 years, but on Wednesday she announced her retirement from the international stage.
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Along with Mignon du Preez, Lizelle Lee, Dane van Niekerk, and Trisha Chetty, Ismail’s retirement leaves a significant gap in South Africa’s team, accounting for more than a quarter of the places in the XI of all 380 matches South Africa has played in their history.
Despite her aggressive on-field persona, Ismail’s retirement statement began with “Dear cricket family,” displaying a selfless character.
She explained that she wants to spend more time with her family, particularly her siblings and parents as they get older.
However, Ismail plans to keep the fast bowling fire burning in franchise leagues, where she is an established drawcard in the WBBL and the FairBreak tournament.
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Her sharp mind and sense of fun will undoubtedly keep her going for as long as possible.
Ismail will be remembered for her unforgettable performance in the T20 World Cup semifinal at Newlands in February, where she played a pivotal role in establishing South Africa as the better team against heavily favored England.