41-year-old Cyprus all-rounder Samanthi Dunukedeniya was part of bowling and batting world records in back-to-back matches on Friday (May 2).
Dunukedeniya, 41, becomes oldest to take seven-for in T20Is
In the first T20I of five on their tour of Czech Republic, Cyprus were put in to bat by the hosts, and made 151-1 as Ayesha Dirannehelage and captain Iresha Chathurani scored half-centuries.
When they came out to bowl, Czech opener Erika Kuncova was run out in the first over. Samanthi Dunukedeniya, who had opened the batting in the first innings, came on to bowl the second over.
She struck with her very first delivery, dismissing opposition skipper Katerina Tesarikova, before getting rid of Zuzana Franova two balls later. Czech Republic were down to 20-4 after three overs, as Tereza Kolcunova was caught and bowled by Dinelka Koralalage.
Dunukedeniya picked up two more wickets in her second over, the fourth of the innings, and struck twice more in the sixth over. With the penultimate ball of her final over, Dunukedeniya knocked over No.10 Olga Hamrikova to bowl Czech Republic out for 37. She finished with a scarcely believable 7-15.
These are the fourth-best bowling figures in women's T20Is, and Dunukedeniya set a new world record as the oldest player, man or woman, to take seven wickets in a T20I.
Best figures in women's T20I cricket, full list
| Player | Figures | Team | Opposition | Venue | Date | Age |
| Rohmalia Rohmalia | 7-0 | Indonesia | Mongolia | Bali | 24 April 2024 | 17y 322d |
| Alison Stocks | 7-3 | Argentina | Peru | Seropedica | 14 October 2022 | 28y 239d |
| Frederique Overdijk | 7-3 | Netherlands | France | Cartagena | 26 August 2021 | 20y 265d |
| Samanthi Dunukedeniya | 7-15 | Cyprus | Czech Republic | Vinor | 2 May 2025 | 41y 81d |
| Anjali Chand | 6-0 | Nepal | Maldives | Pokhara | 2 December 2019 | 24y 77d |
| Goabilwe Matome | 6-1 | Botswana | Lesotho | Gaborone (Oval 2) | 3 September 2023 | 24y 61d |
| Shameelah Mosweu | 6-3 | Botswana | Mozambique | Gaborone (Oval 1) | 10 September 2021 | 25y 286d |
| Mas Elysa | 6-3 | Malaysia | China | Bangkok | 16 January 2019 | 17y 242d |
| Aggeliki Savvani | 6-5 | Greece | Romania | Ilfov County | 5 August 2023 | 22y 191d |
| Hannah Eulenkamp | 6-6 | Guernsey | Isle of Man | Winchester | 5 May 2024 | 34y 309d |
Dunukedeniya follows up bowling world record with batting world record
The second T20I of the series took place later that day, and Cyprus elected to bat first. They batted all 20 overs without losing a wicket, and made 201. Dunukedeniya, and her opening partner Ayesha Dirannehelage remained not out on 65 apiece, with 71 extras making up the rest of the score.
Cyprus total of 201 is now the highest team total ever scored in women's T20Is, without the loss of a single wicket. The previous record was held by Germany, who scored 198-0 against Austria in 2020.
Highest women's T20I team totals without losing a wicket
| Team | Score | Opposition | Venue | Date |
| Cyprus | 201-0 | Czech Republic | Vinor | 2 May 2025 |
| Germany | 198-0 | Austria | Lower Austria | 14 August 2020 |
| Germany | 191-0 | Austria | Lower Austria | 13 August 2020 |
| South Africa | 163-0 | Pakistan | Sylhet | 23 March 2014 |
| Zimbabwe | 156-0 | Namibia | Windhoek | 24 April 2022 |
| Netherlands | 151-0 | Nepal | Kirtipur | 5 February 2025 |
| Sri Lanka | 143-0 | New Zealand | Colombo (PSS) | 12 July 2023 |
| New Zealand | 142-0 | Ireland | Dublin | 6 June 2018 |
| Australia | 127-0 | Bangladesh | Mirpur | 31 March 2024 |
| Pakistan | 123-0 | Ireland | Solihull | 8 July 2013 |
Image credit: X / @krithika0808
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