Nine Sixes, A Ton And A Record: Shafali, Mandhana Power India To 195/4, Crush Bangladesh In Asian Games Semis

Shafali Verma produced a breathtaking display of power hitting, smashing an unbeaten 100 off 49 balls as India stormed into the women’s cricket final at the Asian Games with a commanding 114-run victory over Bangladesh on Sunday.

The explosive opener struck nine sixes and three fours in a sensational innings that carried India to 195 for four after Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to bat at Korogi Sports Park.

The century was Shafali’s maiden T20I hundred and also made her the first cricketer to score a century in Asian Games cricket. Her innings came at a strike rate of more than 200 and provided the foundation for India’s imposing total.

Shafali was given excellent support by Smriti Mandhana, who made 37 from 19 balls, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who contributed 40 off 33 deliveries.

Mandhana’s brisk knock also carried a major personal milestone. She surpassed New Zealand’s Suzie Bates to become the highest run-scorer in women’s T20I cricket. Mandhana crossed Bates’ previous tally of 4,758 runs during her innings and finished the match with 4,788 runs from 171 innings, according to post-match statistical updates.

India raced to 72 runs for the opening wicket, with Shafali and Mandhana attacking the Bangladesh bowlers from the outset. Mandhana departed towards the end of the powerplay, but Shafali continued her assault.

Harmanpreet then joined Shafali and the pair added 94 runs from just 55 balls, keeping India on course for a total beyond 200. Harmanpreet’s dismissal in the 18th over, followed shortly by Richa Ghosh’s departure, briefly slowed India’s charge.

Shafali, however, remained unbeaten and reached her century in the final over, completing one of the most destructive innings of her T20 career.

India’s batting dominance was followed by an equally emphatic performance with the ball as Bangladesh were bowled out for 81, giving India a 114-run victory and a place in the Asian Games gold-medal match.

The semifinal therefore became a landmark day for Indian women’s cricket, with Shafali’s historic hundred and Mandhana’s record-setting achievement coming in the same innings.