Women’s Cricket:
South African Women’s Team Reaches Maiden T20 World Cup Final
The South African women’s cricket team created history by reaching their first-ever final of an ICC tournament. In the semi-final match against 2009 champions England, the game went down to the wire, thanks to the outstanding performances of pacers Shabnim Ismail and Ayabonga Khaka. Ismail, who took three wickets, also bowled the fastest delivery in women’s cricket, at a speed of 80 miles per hour (128 km/h).
Shabnim Ismail Registers Her Name in Record Books
34-year-old South African pacer Shabnim Ismail not only took three wickets but also registered her name in the record books by bowling the fastest ball in women’s cricket. Ismail bowled a delivery at a speed of 80 miles per hour (128 km/h) in the match against England at Cape Town. Although the ICC has not officially confirmed this feat, it was noted by fans on Twitter, who lauded the veteran bowler for achieving this milestone.
Men’s Cricket: Shoaib Akhtar
The Fastest Bowler in the World Shoaib Akhtar, also known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” is considered the fastest bowler in the history of men’s cricket. He made his international debut for Pakistan in 1997 and soon became known for his lightning-fast pace. In 2003, he set the record for the fastest delivery ever recorded in cricket history, with a speed of 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) against England in a World Cup match.
The Speed Demon’s Career Highlights
Shoaib Akhtar’s career was marked by his blistering pace, which often left batsmen in awe and fear. He is the only bowler to have recorded two deliveries that crossed the 100 mph barrier. Apart from his speed, he was also a skilled bowler, who claimed 178 wickets in 46 Test matches and 247 wickets in 163 One Day Internationals (ODIs). He also played a vital role in Pakistan’s historic victory in the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 tournament, where he was the leading wicket-taker for his team.
