India delivered a dominant performance against Bangladesh on Sunday, securing a 114-run victory in the Asian Games women’s cricket semi-final.
The win took India into the gold-medal match, where they will face Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Shafali Verma Hits Maiden T20I Century
The biggest highlight of India’s innings was Shafali Verma’s maiden T20 international century.
Verma remained unbeaten on 100 from 49 balls, smashing three fours and nine sixes. She reached the landmark from the final delivery of India’s 20 overs and celebrated emotionally after taking off her helmet and raising her bat towards her teammates.
“It took a lot of years but finally it came, so I’m happy,” Verma said after completing her first T20I hundred for India.
India’s other opener, Smriti Mandhana, also made history during the match.
Mandhana scored 37 off 19 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. Her innings took her career T20I tally to 4,788 runs from 171 innings, moving her past New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who previously held the record with 4,758 runs.
Mandhana is now the highest run-scorer in women’s T20 international cricket.
India Post 195-4
Powered by Verma’s unbeaten century and Mandhana’s aggressive start, India finished their 20 overs on 195-4 at the Korogi Athletic Park ground in Nagoya.
The Indian batters maintained a strong scoring rate throughout the innings, putting Bangladesh under significant pressure before the chase even began.
Bangladesh struggled to respond to India’s imposing total and were bowled out for just 81 in 15.4 overs.
India’s bowlers maintained control throughout the chase, completing a convincing 114-run victory and booking their place in the final.
Sri Lanka Await India in Final
India will face Sri Lanka in Tuesday’s gold-medal match.
Sri Lanka reached the final after defeating Pakistan by successfully chasing down 178-2 in 17.5 overs. Captain Chamari Athapaththu led the way with an unbeaten 83 off 50 balls, including six sixes and seven fours.
Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match on Tuesday.
Verma also thanked the Indian supporters in Japan for their continued backing and said their support gives the team confidence.
“They are the ones who always back us, and that gives us lots of confidence,” she said.
With a place in the final secured, India will now look to finish their Asian Games campaign with a gold medal.