Shafali Verma’s unbeaten 100 takes India into Asian Games women’s cricket gold-medal match

Shafali Verma's unbeaten 100 off 49 balls propelled India to a 114-run victory over Bangladesh in the women's cricket semifinal at the Asian Games in Nisshin on Sunday, as India posted 195 for 4 and bowled out Bangladesh for 81 in 14.5 overs.

The 22-year-old opener became the first cricketer to score a century in the history of Asian Games women's cricket, reaching three figures with three fours and nine sixes. Her 49-ball hundred equalled Harmanpreet Kaur's record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian woman, and it was only the third century by an Indian in women's T20Is after Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur; the nine sixes also matched the women's T20I single-innings record held by Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews.

Sent in to bat, India accumulated 195 for 4 in their 20 overs, with Shafali's fifty arriving in 26 balls before she accelerated further. Captain Harmanpreet scored 40 off 33 balls and Smriti Mandhana contributed 37 off 19 as India built a commanding total; Shafali brought up her century with a six and raised her bat to a standing ovation.

There was little resistance in the chase as India's bowlers dismissed Bangladesh for 81 in 14.5 overs. Deepti Sharma and Nandani Sharma each took three wickets, with Deepti finishing particularly economical at 3 for 7 from 2.4 overs.

Shafali's performance continued a prolific run in the format this year; she has surpassed 800 T20I runs in 2026. Her power hitting and timing were prominent throughout the innings as she repeatedly cleared the ropes in the second half of her knock.

In the other semifinal, Sri Lanka chased down Pakistan's 177 for 4 to reach the gold-medal game, finishing at 178 for 2 in 17.5 overs. Pakistan's innings featured Ayesha Zafar's 71 off 40 and Shawaal Zulfiqar's 54 off 50, while Sri Lanka were led by captain Chamari Athapaththu, who remained unbeaten on 83 off 50 with seven fours and six sixes.

The win sends India into the Asian Games women's cricket gold-medal match on September 22, keeping their title defence alive after winning the gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games; India will face Sri Lanka, while Pakistan and Bangladesh meet in the bronze-medal match on September 22.