South Africa could be set for one of the biggest stories ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, with veteran fast bowler Shabnim Ismail reportedly on the verge of a sensational return to international cricket. According to reports from IOL, the 37-year-old pacer is expected to be included when Cricket South Africa announces its squad for next month’s tournament in England and Wales.
The announcement itself was unexpectedly delayed on May 11 morning after Cricket South Africa postponed its scheduled T20 World Cup squad press conference just 10 minutes before it was due to begin, further fuelling speculation around Ismail’s possible comeback.
Ismail retired from international cricket following the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, where the Proteas reached their maiden World Cup final on home soil. Since then, South Africa have continued their rise in women’s cricket, finishing runners-up again at the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup before also reaching the final of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in India last year.
Despite those achievements, South Africa have struggled to replace the raw pace and experience Ismail brought to their bowling attack. Over a career spanning more than 15 years, Ismail established herself as one of the fastest bowlers in women’s cricket history and remains the leading wicket-taker for South Africa Women in both ODIs and T20Is.
Reports suggest discussions had been ongoing for several weeks between Cricket South Africa’s director of cricket Enoch Nkwe, head coach Mandla Mashimbyi and Ismail regarding a potential return ahead of the World Cup. Those talks now appear to have resulted in an agreement. Mashimbyi had publicly acknowledged South Africa’s need for more pace options earlier this year following the team’s tour of New Zealand. He later reiterated before the India series that a bowler of Ismail’s quality would significantly strengthen the squad heading into another global event.
Although she has not featured internationally since 2023, Ismail has remained active on the franchise circuit and continues to perform at the highest level in leagues around the world. She has been a consistent presence in India’s Women’s Premier League (WPL), Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and England’s The Hundred, regularly troubling batters with her trademark pace and aggression.
Her return would also likely reunite South Africa’s long-time new-ball partnership alongside Marizanne Kapp. Kapp has managed her workload carefully over the past year and has featured only intermittently for the national side due to injuries and illness but remains one of the team’s most influential players in major tournaments.
Ismail’s possible comeback could provide a major boost ahead of a World Cup campaign where expectations will once again be high. The Proteas have established themselves as one of the strongest white-ball sides in women’s cricket over the last three years but have fallen just short in multiple ICC finals. Adding one of the game’s most experienced fast bowlers back into the squad could strengthen both their bowling depth and leadership group as they chase a first ICC women’s title next month in England.
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