SportsPosted at: Sep 20 2026 12:51PM


Shafali's blazing maiden T20I hundred powers India to 195/4 against Bangladesh

Nisshin (Japan), Sept 20 (UNI) Shafali Verma smashed a blistering unbeaten century to power India to 195 for four against Bangladesh in the second semi-final of the women's cricket competition at the Asian Games here on Sunday.
Shafali's 100 came off just 49 balls, including three fours and nine sixes, as India finished their 20 overs at 9.75 runs an over after winning the toss and electing to bat at Korogi Sports Park.
The hundred was particularly significant as it was Shafali's maiden white-ball international century and made her the first batswoman to score a hundred in the Asian Games.
The star opener reached the landmark from 48 balls with a single off Shorna Akter, chopping the ball wide of cover-point. She removed her helmet and soaked in the applause as the Indian dugout rose to celebrate the landmark.
Shafali's explosive innings was built around an extraordinary nine sixes, with her strike rate touching 204.08.
She found an equally aggressive partner in Smriti Mandhana, who gave India a flying start with 37 off 19 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes.
The opening pair raced to 50 in just 4.4 overs, with Mandhana producing a flurry of boundaries against Rabeya Khan. In the second over, Shafali lofted Shanjida Akter Meghla over extra cover for four before pulling another delivery over long-off for six.
Mandhana then took centre stage, pulling and punching her way to a quick 37. Her second boundary off Marufa Akter took her past New Zealand's Suzie Bates as the highest run-scorer in women's T20Is.
Mandhana's cameo ended in the final over of the powerplay when she miscued a slog sweep off Nahida Akter to deep mid-wicket, where Sobhana Mostary completed the catch. India were already 72 for one after six overs.
Shafali, however, continued her assault and brought up her half-century from only 24 balls, launching Nahida over the bowler's head for six.
Gunalan Kamalini struggled to get going and was dismissed for three off 10 balls in the ninth over, caught by Rabeya Khan off Shanjida, leaving India at 85 for two.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur then joined Shafali and the pair produced India's biggest partnership of the innings, adding 94 runs from 55 balls.
Harmanpreet gradually accelerated, finding boundaries through the off side and against the turn. She struck Nahida for two fours in an over and later swept Rabeya over square leg.
Shafali then shifted into another gear in the 15th over, taking Marufa Akter for 22 runs. She struck a four followed by two sixes before finishing the over with a single.
The right-hander continued the onslaught against Nahida, smashing consecutive sixes in the 17th over — one over long-off and another back over the bowler's head.
Harmanpreet brought up another boundary before her innings ended at 40 off 33 balls. She was stumped by Nigar Sultana off Rabeya Khan after stepping down the pitch and missing a wider delivery.
Richa Ghosh was dismissed for two off four balls in the next over, caught by Shorna Akter at long-on off Marufa, leaving India 184 for four.
Shafali still had time to complete her landmark, while Bharti Fulmali finished with an unbeaten nine off five balls, including a six over wide long-off.
India collected 11 runs from the final seven deliveries to reach 195 for four.
For Bangladesh, Nahida Akter, Shanjida Akter Meghla, Rabeya Khan and Marufa Akter took one wicket each. Nahida conceded 48 runs in her four overs, while Marufa gave away 43.
India's powerplay alone yielded 72 runs, setting the platform for the imposing total.
The second semifinal of the Women's Asian Games 2026 was played at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, with the match scheduled for 2 pm local time.
Sri Lanka had already booked their place in the final after defeating their opponents in the first semifinal, setting up a potential title clash with the winner of the India-Bangladesh contest.
UNI BDN
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