Shafali Verma rewrites record books with historic double milestone against Pakistan
India's 22-year-old opener becomes youngest and fastest to 3,000 T20I runs during Women's Asia Cup clash in Dubai, breaking two world records in a single innings.
Shafali Verma makes history against Pakistan with two world records
Shafali Verma etched her name into cricket history on Saturday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, shattering two world records during India's commanding victory over Pakistan in the Women's Asia Cup.
The 22-year-old became the youngest woman ever to reach 3,000 T20I runs, achieving the milestone at just 22 years and 220 days. Ireland's Gaby Lewis previously held the record, reaching the mark at 24 years and 347 days.
Verma simultaneously claimed another world record, becoming the fastest woman to 3,000 runs by balls faced. She reached the landmark after facing just 2,182 deliveries, surpassing Australia's Alyssa Healy, who required 2,321 balls for the same feat.
The Indian opener is now the 16th player overall and the third Indian woman to cross 3,000 T20I runs, joining teammates Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur in the exclusive club.
In characteristic fashion, Verma announced her arrival at the crease with authority. Facing the opening delivery of India's chase of just 56, she launched the ball over long off for six. A single from the next ball brought up the historic 3,000-run mark. She finished with 12 from six balls before India cruised to a seven-wicket victory in 8.4 overs.
While Australia's Beth Mooney holds the record for fastest to the milestone by innings, reaching it in 100 matches in October 2024, Verma's achievement by balls faced underscores her aggressive style. She reached 3,000 runs in her 113th innings, making her the fastest Indian to the mark, ahead of Mandhana's 122 and Harmanpreet's 135.
Early promise fulfilled
Verma's record-breaking performance comes as little surprise to those who have followed her meteoric rise. She made her T20I debut at just 15 years old in September 2019 against South Africa, becoming the youngest Indian woman to play T20 International cricket.
Her ascent was rapid. At 16, she became the world's No. 1-ranked ICC T20I batter before India's 2020 T20 World Cup campaign, where the team reached the final. Her talent extends across all formats, having scored a double century (205) in Test cricket.
Pakistan's historic collapse
Earlier in the match, Pakistan suffered a batting collapse for the ages, being dismissed for just 55 runs in 18.1 overs. The total represents Pakistan's lowest-ever score in Women's T20I cricket, eclipsing their previous worst of 56 against New Zealand, also at this venue, during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024.
After openers Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar put together a 27-run partnership, Pakistan lost all 10 wickets for just 28 more runs. Verma provided India's breakthrough, dismissing Muneeba for 13 to end the opening stand.
India's spinners then took control. Shree Charani claimed 3/7 from four overs, while Prema Rawat finished with 3/9. Deepti Sharma added two wickets as Pakistan's innings disintegrated.
Tournament context
The match took place during the 10th edition of the Women's Asia Cup, being held in the UAE for the first time. The tournament runs from August 28 to September 13 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India enter the competition as seven-time champions from nine previous editions, making them the most successful team in the tournament's history. However, Sri Lanka are the defending champions after defeating India in the 2024 final, adding extra motivation for the Indian side.
India's next match is against Hong Kong on Thursday as they seek to reclaim the trophy and continue their dominance of Asian women's cricket.
