Mashimbyi confirms Shabnim Ismail’s Proteas' T20 World Cup return

Proteas Women’s coach Mandla Mashimbyi has welcomed fast bowler Shabnim Ismail back with open arms for the upcoming ICC T20 Women’s World Cup in the UK next month. 

As Independent Media exclusively reported on Monday, Ismail will make her international comeback at the global showpiece after a three-year hiatus. The 37-year-old fast bowler has not played for the Proteas since announcing her international retirement after the 2023 T20 Women’s World Cup final against Australia.

Ismail has, though, kept playing in the various T20 franchise leagues around the world, and also for the Lions domestically. The fiery pacer has played 241 matches for the Proteas across formats and taken 317 international wickets.

“Having someone like Shabnim back adds a lot of value to the group,” Mashimbyi said at the Proteas’ T20 World Cup announcement. 

“We had good conversations and you could see the hunger she still has to represent South Africa and help this team achieve something special.”

Fellow Proteas stalwarts Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk have also been included in the 15-player squad after missing recent series due to illness and injury. 

It will be Van Niekerk’s first major tournament after she also came out of international retirement last year.

“We’re also pleased to have players like Marizanne, Dané and Karabo available again,” he said.

“Every team goes to a World Cup wanting to win it, and we are no different, but for us it’s about staying in love with the process, taking it one game at a time and continuing to improve as the tournament advances.”

Proteas Women Convenor of Selectors, Clinton du Preez, also commented on the squad, which will be led by captain Laura Wolvaardt. 

“The selection process for this T20 World Cup squad involved a lot of careful consideration around continuity, squad balance and the demands that come with a major global tournament,” Du Preez said.

“Keeping the core of the group together was important to us because this is a squad that has built strong experience, combinations and understanding over time. At the same time, we also looked at areas where we felt additional experience and impactful options could strengthen the team, especially in the high-pressure moments that often decide tournaments of this nature.

“These decisions are never easy, particularly when quality players miss out, but every discussion and selection was made with the best interests of the team and the goal of winning the World Cup in mind. We believe this squad has the right mix of experience, resilience and match-winning ability, and importantly, gives us the best possible opportunity to put all the pieces together and strongly challenge for the title.”

“We’re excited for the big show ahead, and I think the players have really put in the work over the last few months. The 4-1 series win against India gave us a lot of confidence, but there are still final touch-ups we need to make before the World Cup starts.”

The Proteas open their T20 World Cup campaign against six-times champions Australia in Manchester on 13 June.

PROTEAS ICC T20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SQUAD 

Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, , Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Dane van Niekerk, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon.