The all-time highest wicket-taker for South Africa in international cricket, Shabnim Ismail has been a vital cog of their bowling attack for more than a decade now. Having debuted in 2007 when South Africa were making a return, the tall fast bowler has been pivotal to her side's fortunes. Shabnim isn't overtly quick but has commendable accuracy and her ability to move the ball makes it a tough task to combat her, particularly with the new ball. While she has been a star performer for her country over the years, Shabnim's career has also had its share of controversies. She got suspended for a small period from the National Academy in 2014 for an incident that reportedly had something to do with alcohol. It didn't set her back though, and Shabnim continues to be the rock of South Africa's bowling attack.

By Hariprasad Sadanandan