Watch: Mumbai Indians debutant Shabnim Ismail kicked off the second edition of the Women’s Premier League by taking out Delhi Capitals’ Shafali Verma’s middle stump early in the tournament opener, in Bengaluru.

Ismail, who played for the UP Warriorz last season, struck early on her MI debut, cleaning up an off-colour Verma off the first ball of her second over. Verma tried to hoick Ismail to the leg side, but couldn’t quite deal with the pace, and was left with a flattened middle stump, becoming the first player to depart in WPL 2024.

Later in the over, Ismail was clocked at 128kph according to the broadcasters, matching the number she hit during the 2023 T20 World Cup, regarded as the fastest ball in women’s cricket.

The 35-year-old Ismail retired from international cricket last year, continues to play T20 leagues around the world.

The second season of the WPL will be played in Bengaluru and Delhi entirely, with five teams competing across 20 matches. The DC vs MI fixture was preceded by an opening ceremony that had a host of Bollywood stars performing.

Watch Ismail clean up Verma for first wicket of WPL 2024

 

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