Shafali Verma’s maiden T20I century propels India into Asian Games women’s final
Shafali Verma struck her first T20I century as India defeated Bangladesh in the second semifinal of the women’s cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games at Aichi Prefectural Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan on September 20, 2026, a victory that secured India a place in the final and at least a medal.
Electing to bat, India posted 195 for 4 in their 20 overs, powered by Shafali’s unbeaten 100 off 49 balls, which included nine sixes and three fours. Smriti Mandhana scored 37 and captain Harmanpreet Kaur made 40 off 33 deliveries to support the innings. The match report names Sanjida Akter Meghla (1/25) as Bangladesh’s pick of the bowlers.
Shafali’s 100 not out was her maiden T20I hundred and formed the backbone of India’s total, coming from 49 balls with the boundary count recorded at nine sixes and three fours. Mandhana’s 37 and Harmanpreet Kaur’s 40 provided mid-innings momentum and allowed India to reach a robust 195 for 4 in the allotted overs. The top-order contributions combined with Shafali’s acceleration in the closing overs produced the match-winning score.
Bangladesh’s reply was cut short inside 16 overs; one section of the report states they were bundled out for 81 in 15.4 overs, while the brief scores list Bangladesh as all out for 114 in 15.4 overs. Opener Dilara Akter finished as Bangladesh’s top-scorer with 27 off 23 balls. The match coverage includes both totals alongside the overs at which the innings ended.
Indian bowlers shared wickets across the attack, with Nandani Sharma recorded as taking 3/25 and Deepti Sharma 3/7 in the brief scores, and Shree Charani listed with figures of 2/7. Those bowling figures appear in the summary alongside the team tallies, reflecting the multiple wicket-takers who ended Bangladesh’s chase. Sanjida Akter Meghla’s 1/25 is also noted in the India innings summary.
India’s win in the second semifinal advances them to the women’s cricket final at the 2026 Asian Games and guarantees the team a medal at the tournament. The squad will contest the final after this victory.
