Shafali Verma’s Record Century Powers India Into Asian Games Gold-Medal Match

Shafali Verma produced a sensational batting display as India stormed into the women's cricket final at the 2026 Asian Games with a commanding 114-run victory over Bangladesh at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.

After opting to bat first, India posted 195/4 from their 20 overs, with Shafali remaining unbeaten on exactly 100 from only 49 deliveries. Bangladesh's chase never developed momentum and they were bowled out for 81 in 15.4 overs, giving India a comprehensive semifinal victory.

Shafali Produces a Historic Hundred

Shafali's innings was the defining moment of the semifinal. The opener reached her century from 49 balls, hitting three fours and nine sixes during an extraordinary display of power hitting.

The hundred was Shafali's maiden T20I century and made her the first player to score a century in the women's cricket competition at the Asian Games. Her innings also equalled the record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian woman, matching Harmanpreet Kaur's 49-ball hundred against New Zealand in 2018.

India Make a Fast Start

India's opening pair of Shafali and Smriti Mandhana immediately put Bangladesh under pressure. The duo added 72 runs during the Powerplay, giving India an excellent platform for a large total.

Mandhana scored 37 from 19 balls, including five fours and two sixes. Her dismissal came from the final delivery of the Powerplay, but India were already firmly in control of the innings.

Mandhana Reaches Another Milestone

Mandhana's quick contribution carried additional significance. During her innings, she moved past New Zealand's Suzie Bates to become the leading run-scorer in women's T20I cricket.

She also struck her 100th six in the format, adding another milestone to India's explosive opening partnership before her dismissal brought Bangladesh a brief moment of relief.

Shafali Continues the Assault

Even after Mandhana departed, Bangladesh struggled to contain Shafali. She reached her half-century from just 26 balls and continued attacking the bowling through the middle overs.

Her 100th T20I six arrived with the same six that brought up her fifty. From there, Shafali continued finding the boundary and took advantage of gaps in Bangladesh's bowling plans.

Harmanpreet Provides Strong Support

Harmanpreet Kaur joined Shafali after the dismissal of Gunalan Kamalini, who made three from 10 deliveries. The Indian captain initially took time to settle before accelerating alongside Shafali.

The pair added 94 runs, keeping India's scoring rate high and taking the total towards the 200-run mark. Harmanpreet eventually fell for 40 from 33 balls, having struck six fours.

Shafali Reaches Three Figures at the Finish

Bangladesh managed a few wickets during the closing overs, but Shafali remained at the crease. She reached her century from the final ball of India's innings, completing a remarkable unbeaten knock.

She finished with 100 from 49 balls, including nine sixes and three fours, giving India a final total of 195/4. Bharti Fulmali added an unbeaten nine from five balls at the other end.

Bangladesh Lose Early Wickets

Chasing 196, Bangladesh needed a strong beginning but struggled against India's bowling attack. Their innings never developed the partnerships required to stay in the contest.

Dilara Akter provided some resistance with 27 from 23 balls, but Bangladesh repeatedly lost wickets around her. A third-wicket partnership of 29 with Nigar Sultana was the only stand of note during the chase.

Indian Bowlers Complete the Job

India's bowling attack maintained pressure throughout the innings. Deepti Sharma was particularly economical, finishing with 3/7 from 2.4 overs.

Nandani Sharma also claimed three wickets, returning 3/25, while Shree Charani picked up 2/7. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 81 in 15.4 overs.

India Win by 114 Runs

The 114-run victory gave India a convincing passage into the gold-medal match. The defending Asian Games champions produced a strong performance in both innings, with Shafali's century followed by an effective bowling display.

The margin was also India's biggest T20I victory by runs against a Full Member opponent, according to the statistical coverage of the match.

India Set Up Final Against Sri Lanka

India's victory completed the women's Asian Games final lineup. Sri Lanka had earlier defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the first semifinal, chasing 178 with Chamari Athapaththu scoring an unbeaten 83.

The result sets up an India-Sri Lanka gold-medal clash on September 22, repeating the final matchup from the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

Shafali Continues Her Excellent T20I Form

The century adds another major performance to Shafali's impressive 2026 T20I campaign. Her aggressive approach once again allowed India to establish control during the Powerplay and then maintain a high scoring rate throughout the innings.

Her nine sixes were particularly significant, taking her to 35 sixes in women's T20Is during the 2026 calendar year and moving her past Athapaththu's previous mark of 32 in a calendar year.

Match Summary

India Women scored 195/4 in 20 overs, led by Shafali Verma's unbeaten 100 from 49 balls. Smriti Mandhana made 37 from 19, while Harmanpreet Kaur scored 40 from 33.

Bangladesh Women were bowled out for 81 in 15.4 overs. Deepti Sharma and Nandani Sharma took three wickets each, while Shree Charani claimed two. India won by 114 runs and advanced to the Asian Games women's cricket final against Sri Lanka.