Shafali Verma delivered a sensational batting display to lead India to a commanding 114-run victory over Bangladesh in the Asian Games semi-final at the Korogi Sports Park in Nishine, Japan. Verma scored her maiden Twenty20 International century, steering her team into Tuesday’s gold medal match against Sri Lanka—a high-stakes encounter that replicates the final of the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Opting to bat after winning the toss on Sunday, 20 September, the Indian openers set an explosive tone. Verma and Smriti Mandhana launched a relentless assault on the Bangladeshi bowling attack, accumulating 72 runs during the powerplay overs. Mandhana reached a significant career milestone during her innings, surpassing New Zealand’s Suzie Bates to become the leading run-scorer in women’s T20 Internationals, while also hitting her 100th six in the format.
Following Mandhana’s dismissal for 37 off the bowling of Nahida Akter, G Kamalini was dismissed cheaply for three runs off ten balls. The sudden double strike briefly stemmed the run flow, but Verma ensured the momentum shifted back to India.
Verma brought up her half-century with a towering six, which also marked her 100th over-boundary in international T20 cricket. She then forged a formidable 94-run partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who contributed a brisk 40 runs. Verma proved particularly ruthless against Nahida Akter and Marufa Akter, plundering 22 runs from a single over. On the final delivery of the innings, she pushed the ball towards cover-point to register her first T20 International century, remaining unbeaten on 100 off just 49 balls in an innings decorated with nine sixes and three fours. Her century propelled India to an imposing total of 195 for four.
Faced with a daunting target of 196, Bangladesh crumbled under relentless pressure from the Indian bowling attack. The batting order collapsed rapidly, with only Dilara Akter showing meaningful resistance. Dilara scored 27 runs and combined with captain Nigar Sultana, who made nine, to build a 29-run partnership—the highest of the Bangladeshi innings. Aside from Dilara, only one other batter managed to reach double figures.
Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for a paltry 81 in 15.4 overs. India’s bowling unit proved disciplined and clinical. Celebrating her birthday, Nandini Sharma took a wicket with her very first delivery, finishing with figures of three for 25. Spinner Deepti Sharma produced a stifling spell, taking three wickets for just seven runs, whilst Sree Charani claimed two wickets for seven runs.
The heavy defeat comes just a week after Bangladesh lost to India by 40 runs in the final of the Women’s Asia Cup, compounding a challenging period for the national side against their regional rivals. While India advance to compete for gold, Bangladesh will now refocus their efforts on the bronze medal match.
