Brazilian Bowler Takes Record 9 Wickets in T20 Cricket

Laura Cardoso just made cricket history in a way nobody saw coming, taking nine wickets in a single match to set a new world record for both men's and women's T20 international cricket.

The 21-year-old Brazilian bowler achieved the extraordinary feat during her team's match against Lesotho at the BCA Kalahari Women's T20 International Tournament in Botswana on Thursday. After Brazil posted 202 runs, Cardoso went to work with devastating precision.

She started with a hat-trick, taking three wickets with the final three balls of her first over. Then she did something even more remarkable: she grabbed five wickets in a row, becoming the first player ever to achieve this in Women's T20 International cricket.

Cardoso claimed the first nine Lesotho wickets to fall before her coach switched bowlers, denying her the chance at a perfect ten. Her final statistics tell the story: nine wickets while giving up just four runs in three overs, a record that surpasses anything achieved in either men's or women's T20 internationals.

The right-arm seamer broke the previous women's record of seven wickets, set by Indonesia's Rohmalia Rohmalia in 2024. She also shattered the consecutive wicket record of four, previously held by players including West Indies star Shakera Selman.

Why This Inspires

Cardoso's achievement represents something bigger than cricket statistics. Brazil isn't known as a cricket powerhouse, yet here's a young Brazilian athlete rewriting the record books on an international stage. Her performance shows that talent and determination can emerge from anywhere.

The tournament itself highlights the growing reach of women's cricket across continents. Nations from South America and Africa are competing, developing their programs, and creating opportunities for young athletes who might never have imagined playing internationally.

Brazil now leads their six-team tournament with five straight wins and faces Mozambique next. Whatever happens in that match, Cardoso has already secured her place in cricket history and inspired countless young athletes who dream of making their mark on the world stage.