Brazil’s Laura Cardoso set a new benchmark in international T20 cricket by taking nine wickets in a single match, a feat unmatched in both men’s and women’s formats. The 21-year-old medium pacer achieved this historic milestone during Brazil’s dominant performance against Lesotho at the Kalahari Women’s Tournament held in Gaborone, Botswana, on Saturday.

Cardoso’s exceptional bowling figures of nine wickets for just four runs came over the course of three overs. Her performance included a hat-trick as she bowled out Lesotho for a mere 13 runs in 6.2 overs, following Brazil’s competitive total of 202 for eight. The result secured Brazil a commanding 189-run victory against their opponents.

Prior to Cardoso’s record-breaking display, the best bowling figures in T20 international cricket were held by Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey, who took eight wickets for seven runs against Myanmar last year. Cardoso, who has participated in 48 T20 matches for Brazil, has now taken a total of 55 wickets, underscoring her role as a leading bowler in her national side.

Brazil currently leads the six-team tournament with an unbeaten record of five wins. The team is scheduled to face Mozambique next in their ongoing campaign.