Shafali’s ton helps India crush Bangladesh, storm into Asian Games final
Shafali Verma’s historic 100 off 49 balls powered India Women to 195/4 before their bowlers bundled Bangladesh out for 81 in 15.4 overs, sealing a 114-run win in the Asian Games 2026 semi-final. India booked a place in the gold-medal match against Sri Lanka, while Shafali became the first player to score a century in women’s Asian Games cricket.
NAGOYA: Smriti Mandhana etched her name into the record books on Sunday as India swept past Bangladesh by 114 runs in the Asian Games semi-finals. The opener smashed 37 off 19 balls, including five fours and two sixes, in India's 195-4 tally in their 20 overs at Nagoya's Korogi Athletic Park ground.
Mandhana broke Suzie Bates' long-standing record of 4,758 runs at the top of the all-time list, standing on 4,788 runs from 171 innings. Fellow opener Shafali Verma delivered a stellar performance, scoring a maiden T20 international century of 100 not out off 49 balls with three fours and nine sixes. Verma sealed her century off the final ball of the 20 overs, celebrating with her teammates before India bowled out Bangladesh for 81 in just 15.4 overs.
India will face Sri Lanka in the final on Tuesday, while Pakistan will contest the bronze medal match against Bangladesh on the same day. Verma expressed her happiness at finally scoring her first century for her country, crediting the support of India fans in Japan for giving her team confidence. She emphasized their determination to give their best and deliver good cricket, reinforcing their belief in victory.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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