{
  "id": 8661123,
  "title": "Mandhana breaks record as India romp into Asian Games cricket final",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/mandhana-breaks-record-as-india-romp-into-asian-games-cricket-final",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T09:35:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/cricket/2026/09/1536999/mandhana-breaks-record-india-romp-asian-games-cricket-final"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nMandhana 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.\n\nIndia 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.",
  "summary": "NAGOYA: Smriti Mandhana became the highest run-scorer in women’s T20 international cricket on Sunday as India crushed Bangladesh by 114 runs in the Asian Games semi-finals with fellow opener Shafali Verma hitting her maiden hundred.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Shafali’s ton helps India crush Bangladesh, storm into Asian Games final",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/shafalis-ton-helps-india-crush-bangladesh-storm-into-asian-games-final",
        "published": "2026-09-20T08:17:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "[PHOTOS] South Korea wins inaugural Asian Games teqball gold medal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/photos-south-korea-wins-inaugural-asian-games-teqball-gold-medal",
        "published": "2026-09-20T10:02:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}