HighLights
  1. Shafali Verma became the first batter to score a century in Asian Games cricket.
  2. The Indian opener has been in outstanding form.
  3. India entered the Asian Games semi-final after an eight-wicket win over Japan.

Shafali Verma produced a stunning batting masterclass against Bangladesh Women in the second semi-final of the Asian Games 2026, smashing her maiden T20I century and becoming the first batter to score a hundred in the women's cricket competition at the Asian Games.

The Indian opener took complete control of the innings with an explosive unbeaten 100, powering India to a massive 195 on the board.

Shafali's sensational knock came at a crucial stage of the tournament, with India fighting for a place in the gold medal match.

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Her century was not only historic for the Asian Games but also added several major milestones to her already remarkable T20I career.

Shafali Verma Hits Maiden T20I Century

Shafali had previously come close to producing a three-figure score in T20Is, but she finally broke the barrier against Bangladesh.

The right-hander combined power with aggressive strokeplay to keep the Bangladesh bowlers under constant pressure.

Her unbeaten 100 also made her only the latest Indian woman to join the country's list of T20I centurions.

With the century, Shafali became the fourth Indian woman to score a T20I hundred.

Shafali Breaks Six-Hitting Record In 2026

The century was not the only record Shafali created during her remarkable innings. She has now hit 35 sixes in Women's T20Is in 2026, the most by any batter in a calendar year.

Her six-hitting rate has also been remarkable, with Shafali averaging a six every 14.31 balls during the year.

The aggressive opener has continued to establish herself as one of India's most dangerous T20 batters, using her powerplay hitting to put opposition attacks under immediate pressure.

Shafali Closes In On Wolvaardt's Run Record

Shafali's unbeaten hundred also took her tally for the calendar year to 815 runs in Women's T20Is.

That puts her just nine runs behind South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, who currently leads the calendar-year run-scoring charts with 824 runs in 2026.

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Most Runs In Women's T20Is In 2026

824: Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa Women)
815: Shafali Verma (India Women)

India finished their innings on 195, with Shafali's unbeaten century providing the foundation for a huge total.

Harmanpreet Kaur's side continue their push for a place in the Asian Games 2026 final with their powerful bowling now.


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