Cricket / Shafali Verma Hogs Limelight as India Crush Bangladesh to Set Up Asian Games Gold-Medal Showdown with Sri Lanka

Nisshin, Sep 20: India’s women’s cricket team delivered a statement of intent at the Asian Games, crushing Bangladesh by 114 runs in the semifinal as Shafali Verma’s record‑breaking century and a ruthless bowling attack led by Nandni Sharma, Deepti Sharma, and Sree Charani sealed their place in the gold‑medal final against Sri Lanka.

Shafali produced her maiden white‑ball century and became the first female cricketer to score a hundred in the Asian Games. Her unbeaten 100 anchored India’s innings as the Women in Blue posted a formidable 195/4.

The knock was laced with three boundaries and nine towering sixes, and she reached the milestone off the final ball of the innings with a single against Shorna Akter.

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The nine sixes also gave her a new record — the most sixes by a woman in T20Is in a calendar year, surpassing Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu’s tally. Shafali now has 35 maximums in 2026.

India’s innings began brightly after opting to bat first. Shafali and vice‑captain Smriti Mandhana stitched together a 72‑run opening stand in the powerplay. Mandhana contributed a brisk 37 off 19 balls before falling to a catch at deep mid‑wicket.

G Kamalini struggled during her short stay, dismissed for three, but Shafali found support in skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who held one end while the opener unleashed her power‑hitting.

Bangladesh’s chase never gained momentum. Nandni struck with her very first ball in the second over, removing Juairiya Ferdous for a golden duck. Kranti Gaud soon accounted for Sobhana Mostary, and Charani dismissed captain Nigar Sultana for nine. Shreyanka Patil chipped in by sending back Shorna Akter, leaving Bangladesh tottering at 43/4 after seven overs.

Dilara Akter briefly resisted with a flurry of boundaries, scoring 27, but Deepti Sharma ended her fight. Nandni then delivered a double blow in the 11th over, catching and bowling Nahida Akter before cleaning up Rabeya Khan.

Charani added another scalp, stumping Shamim Akhter, and Deepti wrapped up the innings by dismissing Marufa Akter and Shanjida Akter Meghla in the 15th over. Bangladesh were bowled out for just 81, handing India a resounding win.

The victory sets up a mouth‑watering final against Sri Lanka, led by Chamari Athapaththu. It will be a repeat of both the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games final and the recent Women’s Asia Cup summit clash.

India, the defending champions, will aim to retain their gold medal, while Bangladesh will face Pakistan in the bronze‑medal playoff.

Shafali’s historic century and India’s clinical bowling performance underline the team’s dominance in the continental event. As Harmanpreet Kaur’s side prepares for the final, the Women in Blue carry momentum and confidence, with their eyes firmly set on another golden triumph.

Brief Scores: India 195/4 in 20 ov (Shafali Verma 100*, Harmanpreet Kaur 40; Shanjida Akter Meghla 1-25, Rabeya Khan 1-35) beat Bangladesh 81/10 in 15.4 ov (Dilara Akter 27; Deepti Sharma 3-7, Nandni Sharma 3-25, Shree Charani 2-7) by 114 runs.

(IANS)