Asian Games: Smriti Mandhana breaks T20 record as India beat Bangladesh
India routed Bangladesh by 114 runs in an Asian Games women's cricket semifinal in Nagoya to reach the gold-medal match, with Smriti Mandhana becoming the highest run-scorer in women's T20 internationals. Shafali Verma hit an unbeaten 100 as India posted 195-4 before bowling Bangladesh out for 81.
Why It Matters
Mandhana's new T20I aggregate moves her to the top of that format's all-time list, adding to a recent run of record-breaking scoring across formats; the result also sets up a rematch of the Asia Cup final as India will face Sri Lanka for the Asian Games gold.
Key Facts
- Match result: India beat Bangladesh by 114 runs (Asian Games semifinal, Nagoya)
- India innings: 195-4 in 20 overs
- Shafali Verma: 100 not out off 49 balls (three fours, nine sixes)
- Smriti Mandhana: 37 off 19 balls (five fours, two sixes)
- Mandhana T20I runs: 4,788 runs (surpassed Suzie Bates' 4,758) — highest in women's T20Is from 171 innings according to the source text)
India advanced to the Asian Games women's cricket final after a dominant 114-run victory over Bangladesh at Korogi Athletic Park in Nagoya. Sent in to bat, India posted 195-4 in their 20 overs. Opener Shafali Verma starred with an unbeaten 100 off 49 balls, reaching her century on the final delivery of the innings while striking three fours and nine sixes. Smriti Mandhana contributed a brisk 37 from 19 deliveries as part of the big total.
Mandhana's innings also saw her move to the top of the women's T20 international run charts. According to the match report, she surpassed New Zealand all-rounder Suzie Bates' tally of 4,758 T20I runs to sit on 4,788 from 171 innings. The report notes this followed Mandhana's recent overall international scoring milestones earlier in the month.
Chasing 196, Bangladesh were bundled out for 81 in 15.4 overs as India’s bowlers completed a comprehensive defence of their total. The victory sets up a gold-medal match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, recreating the pairing from last Sunday's Asia Cup final.
Sri Lanka reached the final after their captain Chamari Athapaththu anchored an eight-wicket win over Pakistan. Asked to bat, Pakistan made 177-4 in 20 overs with half-centuries from Ayesha Zafar and Shawaal Zulfiqar, who combined for a 115-run partnership. Sri Lanka chased the target with 13 balls remaining, Athapaththu finishing 83 not out and combining with Hasini Perera (42) in a 95-run stand. Pakistan will play Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match on Tuesday.
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