{
  "id": 8684869,
  "title": "Shafali Verma scripts Asian Games history, becomes ever first cricketer to score century",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/shafali-verma-scripts-asian-games-history-becomes-ever-first",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T12:35:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/shafali-verma-scripts-asian-games-123500623.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Shafali Verma broke records in Asian Games 2026 women’s cricket semi-final as she scripted history by becoming the first cricketer to score a century in the tournament’s history. The India opener amassed 100 runs off just 49 balls, powering India to a formidable total of 195/4 in 20 overs at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.\n\nWith nine sixes and three fours, Verma’s innings included a staggering tally of 104 sixes, surpassing her teammate Smriti Mandhana’s record of 100 sixes in T20Is. This remarkable feat solidified Verma’s position among the leading six-hitters in women’s T20Is, as she tallied 35 sixes in 2026, setting a new record for the most sixes in a single calendar year. Chamari Athapaththu held the previous record with 32 sixes in 2024.\n\nVerma’s exceptional performance contributed to India’s strong showing in the tournament, as she amassed 815 runs in women’s T20Is this year, placing her second on the calendar-year list behind South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who has scored 824 runs.",
  "summary": "In a thrilling performance, Shafali Verma made history by scoring the first-ever century at the Asian Games 2026 semi-final against Bangladesh. Her innings was a display of explosive talent, featuring nine sixes and three fours, propelling India to a substantial score of 195/4. This match solidified her position as India's leading six-hitter in women's T20I cricket, paving the way for a potential…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "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": "New Straits Times",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-09-20T09:35:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "South Central Railway wins five awards for energy efficiency",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/south-central-railway-wins-five-awards-for-energy-efficiency",
        "published": "2026-09-20T13:12:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}