Nationality: South Africa
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Date of Birth: 1992-07-18 Age: 32
Ayabonga Khaka, born on 18th July 1992, has blossomed into one of the most formidable bowlers in women's cricket, weaving her way from a quiet township in South Africa to the grand stages of international cricket. Her initiation into cricket was as unorthodox as they come; starting on the dusty streets of Mthatha, she honed her skills with tennis balls, imitating the fast bowlers she admired on sporadic TV broadcasts. Her journey from these humble beginnings to her professional debut has been one of sheer determination and passion for the sport.
Khaka's official mark in international cricket was stamped with her debut for the South African national team in 2012. Her right-arm fast-medium bowling quickly became the stuff of nightmares for many seasoned batters across the globe. With precision and deceptive pace, she emerged as a linchpin in South Africa's bowling attack, achieving the rare feat of crossing 100 wickets in One Day Internationals—a testament to her consistency and skill on the field.
Among her numerous achievements, Khaka was instrumental in South Africa reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2020. Her spell against England in the group stages, where she adeptly dismantled a high-octane batting line-up with figures that swung the match in their favour, stands out as a showcase of her prowess under pressure. The rivalry with England highlights her career, where she often brought her best against formidable foes, turning the tide of many close encounters.
Khaka’s playing style is a blend of controlled aggression and strategic brilliance. With a slightly open-chested action, she manages to extract movement even on placid pitches, troubling batters with her trademark outswingers and an unsettling yorker at the tail-end of innings. Although not often celebrated for her batting, her right-hand batting credentials have occasionally provided resistance lower down the order, adding another string to her bow.
Throughout her career, significant moments have punctuated Khaka’s journey—none more so than her remarkable return from injury to spearhead South Africa’s bowling attack in crucial tournaments. Her resilience and passion for the game serve as an inspiration to burgeoning cricketers worldwide, marking her impact not just in numbers but in the narratives that every cricket fan loves to cherish. Ayabonga Khaka continues to carve her name in the annals of cricket, embodying the spirit of perseverance and excellence.
Batting Stats
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 6s | 4s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 22 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 1.17 | 15 | 46.67 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 32 | 20 | 11 | 64 | 18 | 3.20 | 132 | 48.48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| T10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling Stats
| Format | Mat | Inns | Wkts | Runs | Overs | Ave | Econ | Wide | NoBall | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 46 | 45 | 34 | 1077 | 157.4 | 31.68 | 6.84 | 40 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 163 | 26 | 27.17 | 6.27 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 50 | 49 | 62 | 1686 | 384.6 | 27.19 | 4.38 | 95 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| T10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 35 | 6.1 | 17.50 | 5.74 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Last updated: 2025-06-23
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