HISTORIC scenes unfolded at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, as Indian batting phenom Shafali Verma etched her name into the annals of Asian Games history. In a scintillating display of power-hitting during the women’s cricket semi-final, Verma became the first cricketer ever to score a century in the history of the Asian Games, propelling India to a formidable 195/4 against a struggling Bangladesh side.
The atmosphere was electric as the Indian opener dismantled the Bangladeshi bowling attack with ruthless precision. Facing just 49 deliveries, Verma’s unbeaten 100 was a masterclass in modern T20 batting, featuring a blistering combination of nine massive sixes and three expertly placed boundaries. Her innings provided the perfect foundation for India, setting a daunting target of 196 for Bangladesh to chase if they were to secure a ticket to the gold-medal match.
A Duel of Records: Mandhana and Verma
The semi-final was a milestone-laden affair even before Verma reached her century. Earlier in the innings, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana achieved a monumental personal landmark, becoming the first Indian woman to reach 100 career sixes in T20 Internationals.
However, in a dramatic twist, Verma surged past her teammate’s tally during her own innings. By the time the dust settled on her century, Verma had moved to 104 career sixes, officially eclipsing Mandhana to become India’s leading six-hitter in the format. The display showcased the immense firepower present at the top of the Indian order, leaving the Bangladeshi fielders scrambling as the ball repeatedly soared over the boundary ropes at the Korogi Sports Park.
Shattering Calendar-Year Records
Shafali Verma’s 2026 campaign is shaping up to be one of the most prolific in the history of the women’s game. With her performance in Japan, the 22-year-old sensation has now struck 35 sixes in the current calendar year, shattering the previous record held by Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, who hit 32 in 2024.
This record is particularly impressive given the efficiency with which Verma clears the rope; her strike rate for sixes stands at one every 14.31 balls. Following behind her in the record books are Athapaththu (25 sixes in 2026) and India’s own skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, who recorded 25 sixes in 2018.
Beyond her power-hitting, Verma is also locked in an intense battle for the title of the world’s top run-scorer in 2026. She currently sits at 815 runs, sitting just nine runs shy of South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who leads the pack with 824. With her current form, it seems inevitable that Verma will continue to climb the leaderboard, further cementing her status as a global superstar of the game.
The Road to the Gold Medal Match
India’s total of 195/4 was a collective effort, though anchored firmly by Verma’s heroics. Smriti Mandhana provided a lightning-fast start, contributing a vital 37 runs off just 18 deliveries, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur anchored the middle overs with a steady 40 off 33 balls.
On the other side of the pitch, the Bangladeshi bowlers found little relief despite a disciplined effort. Wickets were spread thin among the attack, with Sanjida Akter Meghla, Marufa Akter, Nahida Akter, and Rabeya Khatun each claiming a single scalp. However, they were unable to stem the flow of runs, failing to contain the aggressive intent that defined India’s approach.
As Bangladesh faced the daunting task of scoring 196 runs to meet Sri Lanka in the final, the narrative of the day remained firmly focused on the woman of the hour. Shafali Verma has not only delivered a statement of intent for the Indian side but has also set a high-water mark for the Asian Games, proving that she remains a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
With the final showdown looming, all eyes remain on Verma—will she produce an encore in the gold medal match, or will the weight of her historic performance lead to new challenges? For now, the cricketing world celebrates a rare and historic achievement by one of India’s most explosive talents.
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