Brazil’s Laura Cardoso has etched her name in cricket history, becoming the first player to claim nine wickets in a T20 international match. The 21-year-old achieved this milestone against Lesotho, recording figures of 9-4.
Cardoso’s Record-Breaking Performance
Cardoso’s remarkable performance unfolded in just three overs. Lesotho were bowled out for a mere 13 runs in 6.2 overs while chasing 203. Her achievement surpasses the previous record held by Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey, who took eight wickets for seven runs against Myanmar in a men’s T20 international. In women’s cricket, Cardoso bettered Rohmalia Rohmalia’s figures of 7-0 against Mongolia.
Cardoso began her spree by taking wickets with five consecutive deliveries. This run spanned the last three balls of the second over and the first two of the fourth, leaving Lesotho struggling at 8-5. She then took two more wickets in the same over, recording a second maiden. Cardoso followed this up by removing another pair of batters in the fifth over.
A ten-wicket haul was within reach, but Marianne Artur had Lindiwe Polaki stumped to conclude the match.
Praise for Cardoso’s Potential
Cricket Brasil president Roberta Moretti witnessed all of Cardoso’s dismissals from her position at first slip. Moretti believes Cardoso has huge potential. “I don’t think this is the end. She’s still only 21 and I believe Laura is someone who can one day play at the elite level in England and Australia,” she told BBC Sport.
Moretti added, “For me it’s a joy to see an athlete like Laura becoming the cricketer she is, with her work ethic and passion for the game. She came from one of our grassroots programmes and through all of the pathways and is one of the greatest cricketers Brazil has produced.”
Brazil’s Unbeaten Run
The match took place at the six-team Kalahari Women’s T20 tournament in Gaborone, Botswana. Brazil are currently unbeaten in five matches at the tournament. Cardoso previously took a hat-trick for Brazil in a T20 World Cup qualifier against Canada in 2021.
With her talent and dedication, Cardoso’s future in cricket looks bright.