In a breathtaking display of skill and determination, 34-year-old Shabnim Ismail etched her name in the annals of cricket history by becoming only the second bowler to achieve a hat-trick in the ongoing The Hundred Women’s 2023 tournament. Ismail’s exceptional feat proved to be the game-changing moment as Welsh Fire Women secured a nail-biting three-run triumph over Birmingham Phoenix Women in Match 14 of the tournament.
The electrifying contest unfolded at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Thursday, August 10, as Welsh Fire Women locked horns with Birmingham Phoenix Women. With the game hanging in the balance, Shabnim Ismail emerged as the hero, turning the tide in her team’s favor with a mesmerizing hat-trick.
Having set a target of 137 runs within 100 balls, Welsh Fire Women knew that their bowling unit held the key to victory. The match’s climax witnessed Birmingham Phoenix Women needing a mere nine runs from the last over to secure a win. The pressure was palpable, but Ismail remained resolute.
As the tension mounted, Ismail took the ball for the final over of the contest. The seasoned bowler conceded five runs off the first two deliveries, intensifying the scenario. However, displaying nerves of steel, she orchestrated a stunning turnaround with her exceptional prowess. With wickets falling on the 98th, 99th, and 100th balls of the game, Ismail’s remarkable hat-trick secured a remarkable three-run victory for Welsh Fire Women.
Ismail’s sensational bowling spell dismantled Birmingham Phoenix Women’s batting lineup. She dismissed Tess Flintoff, Erin Burns, and Issy Wong in succession, sealing her side’s triumph and etching her name in the hallowed history of the sport. Her achievement marked her as just the second female bowler to achieve a hat-trick in the ongoing The Hundred Women’s 2023 tournament, a feat that resonates with cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
Welsh Fire Women’s victory owes much to the pivotal role played by Shabnim Ismail’s exceptional bowling brilliance. Her ability to thrive under pressure and deliver at crucial junctures underscores her status as a key asset for her team. As the tournament unfolds, Ismail’s hat-trick will undoubtedly stand as a shining example of the extraordinary moments that The Hundred Women’s 2023 competition continues to produce.