Great tennis player Serena Williams recently returned from retirement after almost 4 years and will play in Wimbledon 2026. Her comeback was not good and she lost in the first round itself. But in London itself, at the famous Oval Cricket Ground, a few miles away from Wimbledon, another great player’s brilliant comeback from retirement continued. This player is South African fast bowler Shabnim Ismail, who shook England’s top order with her lethal bowling in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The Oval will host the second semi-final of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Thursday evening, July 2. England and South Africa Were face to face. In this match, England came to bat first and for them, experienced opener Daniel Wyatt-Hodge was desperate to play another strong innings. The whole of England was expecting a big innings from Wyatt-Hodge, who had already scored the most runs in this tournament, but before she could do anything, South Africa’s fast bowlers wreaked havoc.
Shabnim terrorized, completed 50 wickets
Veteran all-rounder Marijan Kapp and star pacer Shabnim Ismail sent the first three England batsmen back to the pavilion in just 20 balls. While Kaap took the biggest wicket by bowling Wyatt-Hodge, Shabnim took the wicket of Amy Jones and Alice Capsey with her fast pace. Jones could score only 2 runs and Capsy could score only 1 run. Hodge was out after scoring 12 runs.
These 2 wickets were very special for 37 year old Shabnim Ismail. Especially the wicket of Jones brought a new achievement for him. Right-arm pacer Shabnim Ismail has now become the first bowler in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup to take 50 wickets. He achieved this feat in his 38th match. After her, Australia’s pacer Megan Schutt is at second place in this list, who has 48 wickets in her name.
Return after 3 years of retirement
Shabnim’s achievement is also special because she had retired after the defeat in the 2023 T20 World Cup final. But after 3 years, he returned for this World Cup and took 8 wickets in 6 matches till the semi-finals. She is South Africa’s most successful bowler in this World Cup. His pace bowling partner Marijan Kapp has also taken only 8 wickets.
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