In a trailblazing moment during the Women’s Premier League 2024, Mumbai Indians’ fast bowler Shabnim Ismail etched her name in the annals of cricket history by bowling the fastest delivery ever recorded in women’s cricket. The gripping match between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians served as the backdrop for this remarkable feat.
The South African speedster fired a delivery clocked at an astonishing 132.1 Kmph, catching everyone’s attention including that of the batter it was aimed at—Delhi Capitals’ captain Meg Lanning. In the third over of the first innings, Ismail bowled a fuller length delivery to Lanning, which hit her on the pads. While the appeal for an LBW was turned down, the speed gun’s reading ensured Ismail’s name would be remembered for breaking new ground in women’s cricket.
In spite of achieving this incredible milestone, Shabnim Ismail’s day with the ball was challenging. She conceded 46 runs over her four-over spell, averaging a costly 11.50 runs per over, claiming just a single wicket. The fast bowler expressed her discontent with her overall performance, acknowledging she had fallen short of her usual standards.
Reflecting on her team’s effort, Ismail noted the missed fielding opportunities and dropped catches that marred their defensive play. With an optimistic outlook, she hoped the team’s batters would rise to the occasion and chase down the target set by the Delhi Capitals. Ismail also disclosed that there was no predetermined total that the team aimed to restrict Delhi Capitals to; however, the slow pitch conditions seemed to favor the batting side, with every misdirected delivery from Mumbai Indians being punished.
The accomplishment of delivering the fastest ball did not seem to faze Ismail: she confessed to not having checked the big screen for the speed after her deliveries. The revelation of her crossing the 130 Kmph mark was one she only acknowledged during the mid-innings break.
Prior to Ismail’s record-breaking delivery, there was a claim by RCB and WPL that the record for the fastest ball in women’s cricket was held by Australia’s Ellyse Perry, who, in the previous WPL edition, sent down a ball at a speed of 130.5 Kmph.
The clash was high-profile, with the teams fielding strong line-ups. Delhi Capitals’ playing XI included talents such as Meg Lanning, the captain leading from the front, alongside Shafali Verma, Alice Capsey, Jemimah Rodrigues, and bowling aces Marizanne Kapp and Jess Jonassen. Mumbai Indians, on the opposing side, featured power hitters like Hayley Matthews and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, with the likes of Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, and the record-breaker Shabnim Ismail herself wielding both bat and ball.
Ismail’s latest feat is a testament to the rising standards in the Women’s Premier League, showcasing a rapidly evolving landscape where women cricketers are pushing boundaries and achieving new highs. The fast bowler’s record serves as an inspiration and a beacon, encouraging up-and-coming female cricketers to challenge their limits and strive for greatness in the sport.
