Shafali Verma's Century Leads India to Dominant Win Over Bangladesh

Shafali's Historic Performance Fuels India's Victory

In the second semifinal of the women's cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games, India set a formidable target of 195 runs against Bangladesh, thanks to a remarkable maiden T20I century from opener Shafali Verma.

Key Contributions from Mandhana and Kaur

Verma was the highlight of the innings, showcasing her batting prowess as the Indian top order took full advantage of the favorable conditions and short boundaries. Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur also played crucial roles, with Kaur scoring 40 runs.

Mandhana contributed a brisk 37 runs off just 19 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes before being dismissed by Nahida Akter. Gunalan Kamalini added three runs off ten balls before falling to Shanjida Akter Meghla. Kaur's innings included six boundaries, coming off 33 balls.

India's Aggressive Strategy Pays Off

The Indian batting lineup effectively exploited the short boundaries, consistently applying pressure on the Bangladesh bowlers and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Despite the disciplined efforts of Bangladesh's bowlers, India managed to finish their innings at 195 for the loss of four wickets.

Final Showdown Awaits

With this strong performance, India has positioned itself well for the upcoming final. Bangladesh now faces a tough challenge as they aim to secure a spot in the gold medal match. The semifinal winner will advance to the final, while the losing team will compete for the bronze medal.