The Hundred Women 2023: Shabnim Ismail becomes second bowler to take hat-trick in tournament history

Match 14 of the ongoing The Hundred Women’s 2023 tournament featured a clash between Welsh Fire Women and Birmingham Phoenix Women at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Thursday, August 10. The game was full of ups and downs; however, the stage was lit on fire by 34-year-old Shabmin Ismail, who took a brilliant hat-trick to win the game for Welsh Fire.

After posting 137 runs on the board in their quota of 100 balls, Welsh Fire depended on their bowling attack to defend the target and take them home, and the side did just that. In the dying stages, Phoenix required nine runs to win the game with five balls remaining.

As Ismail came in to bowl, she conceded five runs off the first two balls of the over, which put her in quite a situation. However, the 34-year-old quickly brought it back with a sensational hat-trick. Taking wickets on the 98th, 99th, and 100th deliveries of the game, Ismail propelled her side to a three-run victory. She took the wickets of Tess Flintoff, Erin Burns, and Issy Wong to finish the game and etch her name in the history books.  Notably, she became just the second female bowler to pick up a hat-trick.

Here's the video:

SCENES! 🤯#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/lAB6CDJ3Qs

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 10, 2023

Welsh Fire women sit atop points table with victory

Following their win, Welsh Fire women made their way to the top of the points table as they now sit with seven points in four matches. Furthermore, Birmingham Phoenix find themselves in seventh place with just one point in four games. 

For their next clash, Welsh Fire women will face off against Southern Brave women in the 17th match of the tournament on Saturday, August 12. Keeping up their form, it could be interesting to see how the side fares in their forthcoming clash. 

Shabnim Ismail, who was the star of the clash between Welsh Fire and Birmingham Phoenix, and the veteran will be keen on putting in a similar performance as the tournament progresses.