Shabnim Ismail might only be ranked in 21st spot on the ICC’s women T20I bowlers rankings, but she delivered a devastating performance with the ball to rock Sri Lanka and help set up a seven-wicket win for the Proteas Women.
Ismail (ranked as the sixth-best women’s bowler in ODIs) returned figures of 4-0-10-3 (econ 2.50) against the Sri Lanka batters, including an astonishing 20 dot balls as Sri Lanka struggled to 99-8 off their 20 overs.
South Africa's @shabnim_ismail showed why she's one of the most-feared bowlers on the planet with 3/10 from four overs, including 20 dot balls, against Sri Lanka at @WorldT20! ?
Watch the best bits of her spell, delivered by @oppo #FlashCharge! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/leQKaHotM7
— ICC (@ICC) November 13, 2018
She began by bowling Yasoda Mendis for a single with a super inswinger, then bowled Eshani Lokusuriyage for nine.
Sripali Weerakkody was her third victim (also bowled) at the end of the innings, this time for a two-ball duck.
Ismail collected the Player of the Match award for her stunning performance that set the tone for the Proteas to march to victory.
The Proteas’ next match is on Thursday against the tournament hosts, the West Indies Women, at Gros Islet.
Photo: Matthew Lewis-IDI/IDI via Getty Images
