Nisshin, September 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A stellar unbeaten century from Shafali Verma and impressive bowling performances from Nandni Sharma, Deepti Sharma and Sree Charani powered India women to a commanding 114-run win over Bangladesh in the Asian Games semifinal on Sunday, setting up a gold medal clash against Sri Lanka.
Shafali smashed her maiden white-ball century and became the first female cricketer to score a century in the Asian Games as her unbeaten 100 helped India post 195/4.
The bowlers then produced a clinical performance, with Deepti and Nandni claiming three wickets each and Sree Charani taking two as Bangladesh were bowled out for 81 in 15.4 overs.
India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will now face Chamari Athapaththu’s Sri Lanka in Tuesday’s gold medal match. The final will be a repeat of the previous edition’s Asian Games title clash as well as the recently concluded Women’s Asia Cup final.
India are the defending Asian Games champions, having won the gold medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.
After opting to bat, India got off to a strong start as Shafali and Smriti Mandhana put on 72 runs for the opening wicket during the powerplay. Mandhana contributed 37 off 19 balls before being caught at deep mid-wicket off the final delivery of the powerplay.
G Kamalini struggled during her brief stay and was dismissed for three, but Shafali continued her aggressive approach. Harmanpreet provided support at the other end as the opener took charge of the innings.
Shafali completed her maiden limited-overs century from the final ball of the innings, taking a single off Shorna Akter. She remained unbeaten on 100, hitting three fours and nine sixes.
Her nine sixes also took her to 35 maximums in T20Is in 2026, surpassing Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu’s record of 32 sixes in 2024 for the most by a woman cricketer in a calendar year.
Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 40 as India finished on 195/4.
India’s bowlers then dismantled Bangladesh’s chase. Nandni Sharma struck with her first delivery of the second over, dismissing Juairiya Ferdous for a golden duck.
Kranti Gaud soon removed Sobhana Mostary for four, while Sree Charani dismissed Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana for nine.
Shreyanka Patil then accounted for Shorna Akter as Bangladesh slipped to 43/4 after seven overs.
Deepti Sharma and Nandni continued the pressure. Deepti dismissed Dilara Akter for 27 before Nandni claimed two wickets in two balls in the 11th over, removing Nahida Akter and Rabeya Khan.
Charani then had Sharmim Akhter stumped in the 14th over, before Deepti completed the innings by dismissing Marufa Akter and Shanjida Akter Meghla in the 15th over.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 81 in 15.4 overs, handing India a 114-run victory.
India will face Sri Lanka in the gold medal match on Tuesday, while Bangladesh will play Pakistan for the bronze medal on the same day.
Brief Scores:
India 195/4 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 100*, Harmanpreet Kaur 40; Shanjida Akter Meghla 1/25, Rabeya Khan 1/35) beat Bangladesh 81 all out in 15.4 overs (Dilara Akter 27; Deepti Sharma 3/7, Nandni Sharma 3/25, Sree Charani 2/7) by 114 runs.
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