Former Proteas quick Shabnim Ismail bowls fastest recorded ball in women's cricket
- Planet Sport writer
- 5 March 2024
Shabnim Ismail bowled the fastest recorded delivery in women's cricket in Tuesday's Womenâs Premier League (WPL) clash between the Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals.
The former Proteas Women speedster clocked a speed of 132.1kph, recorded on the broadcast speed-gun, while bowling at Delhi captain Meg Lanning, hitting her front pad before the resulting lbw appeal was waved away.
When asked about the speedy delivery in her post-match interview, shown on the WPL website, Ismail admitted: "I don't actually look at the big screen when I'm bowling."
Ismail's sole wicket of the game saw her cut short Shafali Verma's quickfire cameo as Delhi finished on 192 for four and Mumbai went on to lose the game by 29 runs.
In an interview with Sky Sports in 2022, England women's fast bowler Issy Wong said that bowling 80mph (129kph) speeds would become "normal" in the future.
She added: "Someone is going to get there and it will be normal, I guess. It could be anyone. If you've got the wind behind you and you are running downhill and there's a bit of dew about it might help."
