Shabnim Ismail bowled the fastest delivery in women’s cricket in the Women’s Premier League match between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals on Tuesday.
The South African reached a speed of 132.1 km/h (82.1 mph), recorded on the transmitted speed gun, while bowling to Delhi captain Meg Lanning and hitting her front pad before the resulting LBW- objection was rejected.
When asked about the performance in her post-match interview, which was shown on the WPL website, Ismail said: “I don’t actually look at the big screen when I bowl.”
Ismail’s only wicket of the match cut short Shafali Verma’s appearance as Delhi finished at 192 for four and Mumbai lost by 29 runs.
In an interview with Sky Sports in 2022, England fast bowler Issy Wong said that bowling speeds of 80 mph (129 km/h) would become “normal” in the future. She said: “Someone will get there and it will be normal, I think. It could be anyone. If you have the wind at your back and you’re running downhill and there’s some dew on top, that might help.”
