Brazil’s Laura Cardoso has made history by becoming the first-ever player to take nine wickets in a T20 international match. The 21-year-old fast bowler recorded the remarkable feat on 9 April 2026, recording figures of 9-4 against Lesotho in the Kalahari Women’s T20 tournament in Gaborone, Botswana. Cardoso’s extraordinary performance came as Lesotho were bowled out for just 13 runs in 6.2 overs whilst chasing Brazil’s total of 203. The record-breaking haul, accomplished in just three overs, exceeds the previous T20 international record of eight wickets, held by Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey, and sets a new benchmark for women’s cricket in the format.
A landmark showing in Gaborone
Cardoso’s remarkable spell emerged with breathtaking precision during Brazil’s match at the Kalahari Women’s T20 tournament. The young seamer began her outstanding spell of dismissals by claiming five straight dismissals, covering the last three balls of the second over and the initial pair of bowls of the fourth. This striking run had Lesotho reeling at 8-5, already facing an unbeatable position. She subsequently claimed two additional dismissals in the same over, posting a further maiden over, before dismissing a further brace of batters in the final over to cement her place in sporting folklore.
Cardoso was eventually denied a perfect 10-wicket haul when teammate Marianne Artur executed the stumping of Lindiwe Polaki, just one of three Lesotho batters to register a run in the match. Despite missing out on the additional wicket, Cardoso’s nine-wicket haul remains an unparalleled achievement in T20 international cricket. Her display has garnered widespread recognition, with Cricket Brasil president Roberta Moretti, who witnessed every dismissal from her position at first slip, expressing confidence in the young player’s future potential at the elite level.
- Five successive wickets across second and fourth overs
- Two additional dismissals in the same over recorded
- Another couple of batters dismissed in the fifth over
- Denied tenth wicket when Artur achieved Polaki’s stumping
Breaking records in the competition format
Cardoso’s nine-wicket haul constitutes a watershed moment in T20 international cricket, surpassing both men’s and women’s competitions. The Brazilian seamer’s figures of 9-4 have shattered the earlier record, which had remained just over a year. Her achievement demonstrates the remarkable trajectory of a player who, at merely 21 years old, has already shown the technical skill and psychological strength needed to excel at the highest echelons of the sport. This record-shattering achievement has solidly cemented Cardoso as one of cricket’s most thrilling rising stars, with her rapid ascent from grassroots programmes to international prominence serving as an source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers across Brazil and beyond.
The importance of Cardoso’s accomplishment surpasses simple numbers; it constitutes a watershed moment for cricket in Brazil worldwide. Her impressive showing in Gaborone has drawn global focus and demonstrated the depth of talent developing within cricket development initiatives across South America. Cricket Brasil president Roberta Moretti has already pinpointed Cardoso as a player with genuine potential to perform at the highest level in established cricketing nations such as England and Australia. The young seamer’s dedication to training, enthusiasm, and commitment to the sport indicate that this record may simply mark the beginning of an remarkable journey, with additional accomplishments surely to follow.
Earlier record holders
Before Cardoso’s exceptional performance, the T20 international record belonged to Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey, who captured eight wickets for seven runs against Myanmar in a men’s T20 international in 2025. In women’s cricket specifically, Indonesia’s Rohmalia Rohmalia had set the benchmark with seven wickets for no runs against Mongolia in 2024. Cardoso’s nine-wicket performance has clearly exceeded both benchmarks, establishing a new standard that will likely stand as the pinnacle of T20 international bowling performance for years ahead.
Cardoso’s impressive bowling performance
The structure of Cardoso’s record-breaking performance showcases a bowling performance of exceptional accuracy and consistency. The 21-year-old’s formidable display began in earnest in the 2nd over, where she claimed five consecutive wickets throughout the last three balls of that over and the opening two balls of the fourth over. This relentless streak left Lesotho in a position of total collapse at 8-5, with the match essentially settled as a contest prior to the midway stage of the innings. Cardoso’s ability to maintain accuracy and intensity whilst bowling at such a destructive pace displayed the characteristics of a authentically top-tier international cricketer.
Cardoso’s dominance continued unabated as she secured two further dismissals to finish a maiden over, before taking two more of batsmen to her tally in the fifth over. Her display was eventually robbed of a complete 10-wicket haul when teammate Marianne Artur achieved the final dismissal, dismissing Lindiwe Polaki to end Lesotho’s capitulation for just 13 runs. Despite this small setback to her personal haul, Cardoso’s nine-wicket feat represents an unparalleled feat in T20 international matches, a reflection of her outstanding ability and mental resilience in pressure situations.
| Over | Key moments |
|---|---|
| Second over | Takes final three wickets, beginning her five-wicket streak across consecutive deliveries |
| Fourth over | Completes five consecutive wickets with first two deliveries; Lesotho reduced to 8-5 |
| Fourth over (conclusion) | Takes two further wickets to record a maiden over |
| Fifth over | Removes another pair of batsmen, extending her haul to nine wickets |
Promise and potential for cricket in Brazil
Cardoso’s record-breaking display has catapulted Brazilian cricket into the global stage and vindicated the funding of grassroots development programmes that developed this outstanding talent. At just 21 years old, she has already accomplished what many experienced cricketers never accomplish, demonstrating a level of maturity and ability that belies her relative youth. Cricket Brasil president Roberta Moretti, who witnessed every dismissal from her vantage point at first slip, is convinced this is merely the start of Cardoso’s journey. “I don’t think this is the end,” Moretti told BBC Sport, emphasising her belief that the emerging fast bowler has the capability to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Moretti’s assessment of Cardoso’s trajectory is notably impressive given her personal witnessing of the on-field display and her deep understanding of the player’s character and professional dedication. The head of Cricket Brasil emphasised Cardoso’s humble origins within the country’s grassroots programmes implying her ascent represents a achievement for the nation’s cricket development. “She came from one of our grassroots programmes and through all of the pathways and is one of the finest players Brazil has produced,” Moretti stated. Looking ahead, Moretti foresees a scenario where Cardoso competes at elite level in England and Australia, symbolising the height of aspiration for women’s cricket in Brazil.
- Cardoso advanced through Brazil’s grassroots cricket programmes and structured pathways
- At 21, she possesses the capability to compete at elite level in England and Australia
- Her track record showcases the calibre emerging from Brazilian cricket development