South African Pacer Pulls Off A Shahid Afridi For T20 World Cup

Shahid Afridi (Source: AFP)

A certain South Africa legend is planning to reverse her retirement from international cricket. Elite fast bowler Shabnim Ismail, who bowed out of the game back in mid-2023, might well be following the footsteps of former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi.

Ismail is currently on a path to get selected in South Africa Women squad for the upcoming 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England. Even though she has not played a single international game since February 2023, the 37-year-old still continues to play top-flight cricket in WPL and in South Africa’s domestic tournaments.

Shabnim Ismail to reverse her international retirement

Shabnim Ismail is set to make a sensational return to the South Africa Women’s team, more than three years after announcing her retirement from international cricket. The legendary fast bowler is expected to be selected in Proteas squad for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

As per reports, Cricket South Africa director of cricket Enoch Nkwe and Proteas head coach Mandla Mashimbyi have been in talks with Ismail in a bid to convince her for a national return. It is now understood that both parties have now reached an agreement.

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The CSA seems to have failed to find an ideal replacement for Shabnim Ismail. Shortly after the conclusion of the T20I series in New Zealand last month, Mashimbyi said “We’d like to have some pace, but there is nothing on offer at the moment.”

A look at Shabnim Ismail’s glittering career

Shabnim Ismail made her international debut back in early 2007. The seasoned fast bowler picked up 317 wickets across all formats up until her retirement in mid-2023.

She picked up 191 of those wickets in Women’s ODI, and is trailing only India’s Jhulan Goswami among the most successful bowlers in the history of the format. She is also South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in T20I matches with 123 sticks in 112 innings.

Ismail on track to follow Shahid Afridi

Much like Ismail’s impending return, Shahid Afridi too had famously reversed his international retirement multiple times during his playing career. Moreover, Afridi took multiple retirements during his journey before finally settling down in mid-2018.

Since then, any player making a comeback after retirement is often humorously compared to Shahid Afridi’s famous retirement U-turns.

South Africa placed in Group A of T20 World Cup 2026

The South Africa Women’s team is placed in Group A of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup alongside fellow heavyweights Australia and India. It is worth noting that the Proteas reached the final of the previous two editions of the tournament, losing to New Zealand in the final of 2024 event in the UAE.

As per the schedule, South Africa will face Australia first-up in match number three of the tournament on Sunday, June 13 next month. The match will be hosted by the Old Trafford in Manchester.

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