South African cricket team fast bowler Shabnim Ismail became the highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20 World Cup history after claiming her 49th scalp during the Group 1 match against Bangladesh at Lord’s in London on Sunday.
The landmark moment came in her second over when Bangladeshi opener Taj Nehar was trapped LBW, handing Ismail a memorable wicket in a crucial Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 match for South Africa.
The wicket took the 37-year-old Ismail past Australia’s Megan Schutt, who had held the record with 48 wickets. Schutt is part of the Australian cricket team at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Ismail, who made her Women’s T20 World Cup debut in 2009, now tops the all-time list with 49 wickets from 37 matches at an average of 15.87 and an economy of 5.96, while fellow South African Marizanne Kapp is fifth with 38 wickets.
Against Bangladesh, Ismail finished with figures of 1/15 from her four overs as South Africa restricted their opponents to 117/5 with a place in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals on the line.
She conceded runs at a miserly economy rate of just 3.75 on Sunday and has now claimed six wickets from five matches at the 2026 edition at an average of 20.33 and an economy of 6.77.
The veteran pacer had retired from international cricket in May 2023, shortly after helping South Africa reach their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup final on home soil.
However, she came out of retirement for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with the Proteas chasing a first limited-overs global title after finishing runners-up at the last two editions.
With 129 wickets from 118 women’s T20 internationals, Ismail is South Africa’s all-time leading wicket-taker in the format.
In 2024, she became the first woman to breach the 130 km/h barrier and remains one of the quickest bowlers in the game.
