South Africa fast bowler Shabnim Ismail has reversed her international retirement and is included in the Proteas’ squad for this summer’s T20 World Cup in England.

Ismail, 37, is one of the fastest bowlers in women’s cricket and is her country’s all-time top wicket-taker in the format despite making her last appearance more than three years ago.

She is joined in the squad by fellow opening bowler Marizanne Kapp, who has recovered from illness, while Dane van Niekerk, who has also come out of retirement in the past year, is included following a calf injury.

South Africa, who were runners-up at the past two Women’s T20 World Cups, open their campaign against Australia on 13 June before facing Pakistan, India, the Netherlands and Bangladesh.

They recently enjoyed a 4-1 series win against ODI world champions India.

“Having someone like Shabnim back adds a lot of value to the group,” said head coach Mandla Mashimbyi.

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

South Africa squad:
Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Niekerk.

[BBC Sports]

The Bangladesh government has formed a committee to look into the previous government’s decision to not allow the team to play its 2026 T20 World Cup matches in India, a move that led to Bangladesh being removed from the tournament in February and March.

The sports ministry made an announcement on Monday that additional secretary Dr AKM Wali Ullah will head the committee that includes chief selector Habibul Bashar, the former Bangladesh captain, and Faisal Dastagir. The trio has been asked to look into all matters related to Bangladesh not sending a team to the T20 World Cup. They will be expected to submit a report within 15 working days.

The sequence of events that culminated in Bangladesh missing the tournament began on January 3, when the BCCI directed Kolkata Knight Riders to remove Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad for an unspecified reason, at a time when relations between the Indian and Bangladeshi governments were strained.

In the next 24 hours, Asif Nazrul, Bangladesh’s sports adviser (minister) at the time, posted on his official Facebook account that he wanted the ICC to move Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches out of India and to Sri Lanka. Nazrul was an adviser in Bangladesh’s interim government that was formed in August 2024 after a student-led uprising toppled the Awami League regime.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has arrived to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this morning (12) to provide a statement regarding the alleged SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal.