Legendary fast bowler Shabnim Ismail today announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket for the Proteas Women, effective immediately, to focus on her family and T20 domestic cricket around the world.

Legendary South African fast bowler Shabnim Ismail has announced her retirement from international cricket, effective immediately.

Ismail cited the "desire to spend more time with my family" as one of the reasons he left international cricket and played domestic T20 cricket around the world.

Despite being offered a national contract for the 2023–24 season and announced by Cricket South Africa (CSA), Ismail did not accept and chose to end her career in South Africa with immediate effect to prioritize her family. In a statement issued by CSA, Ismail said she "would like to spend more time with my family, especially my siblings and parents as they get older, and playing in global leagues is the only way I can both connect with family and." to fit into cricket too."

Ismail played for the UP Warriorz in the inaugural edition of the Women's Premier League, has deals with the Sapphires in the fairbreak tournament, with the Welsh Fire for the Hundred (and was previously part of the Oval Invincible squad) and Melbourne Renegade of the WBL.

Her retirement comes at a time when women's football is seeing an increase in T20 franchise leagues and more opportunities for players to make money as freelancers rather than relying on a national contract.

"Looking back on my international career, I'm so grateful for all the opportunities and experiences I've had," Ismail said.

"I have loved being able to compete at the highest level and I am so proud to be part of a wonderful group of players who have pioneered the path for women in cricket. The memories I have will stay with me forever.”
Ismail, 34, played 127 ODIs, 113 T20Is and a single Test for South Africa over a 16-year international career.

Hailed as the fastest bowler in the women's game, the South African amassed 317 international wickets. Ismail also snatched the most women's ODI wickets in a single calendar year with 37 wickets in 2022. This included 14 wickets at the 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.

Ismail played in fifty-over World Cups starting from the one in 2009 and also featured in eight Women’s T20 World Cups.

“She will be sorely missed by the team and all South African cricket fans as she continues to inspire the next generation of cricketers in all parts of the world throughout the remainder of her national career.