Brazilian cricketer Laura Cardoso has shattered records by registering the best bowling figures in a T20I match across both men’s and women’s cricket. The 21-year-old returned with stunning figures of 3-2-9-4 against Lesotho in Gaborone during the BCA Kalahari Women’s T20 International Tournament 2026 on April 9 (Thursday), making headlines worldwide. But who is Laura Cardoso, the Brazilian star taking the cricketing world by storm?
Who is Laura Cardoso?
Born on March 28, 2005, Cardoso has been involved in the sport at a very tender age and started playing cricket aged 11, transforming from Volleyball. Reportedly, she was showcasing exceptional talent from age 12. In January 2020, Cardoso became one of the 14 cricketers to be offered a central contract by the board. Holding an inkling towards studying as well, the youngster was determined to balance her both academics as well as her love for the game of cricket.
The right-arm speedster’s debut came in October 2021 during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier and notched up figures of 2-0-6-1 against the United States. Days after her debut, Cardoso delivered an even better performance as Canada were on the brink of victory as they required only three runs off the final over to win. Cardoso picked up a hat-trick to fashion a dramatic victory for Brazil. The youngster also deservedly earned the Player of the Match award.
How Laura Cardoso sunk Lesotho to a record low?
Meanwhile, Cardoso battered Lesotho women’s cricket team to a record low on Thursday at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 2 ground. Chasing a daunting 202, Lesotho women collapsed to 13 as their innings lasted only 6.2 overs in total. None of their batters reached double figures, with five of them registering golden ducks, with overall eight of them perishing without scoring to lose by an embarrassing margin of 189 runs. Opener Boitumelo Tiali was the top-scorer for Lesotho with 5. Marianne Artur also picked up a wicket but the star of the show was arguably Cardoso.
But Artur’s batting efforts deserve equal recognition as she made 41-ball 69, with Roberta Avery also chipping in with a brisk 48.
Who holds the best bowling figures in a Men’s T20I?
Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey holds the record of best haul in a Men’s T20I when he took figures of 4-1-7-8 against Myanmar in 2025 to bowl them out for 45 while defending 128.
