Smriti Mandhana has etched her name into the record books, becoming the highest run-scorer in women’s T20 international cricket history. Her milestone came during a dominant semifinal victory for India against Bangladesh at the Korogi Athletic Park ground in Nagoya, Japan, as the team secured a spot in the Asian Games final.
Mandhana contributed 37 runs from 19 deliveries, including five boundaries and two sixes, bringing her career total to 4,788 runs in 171 innings. This effort surpassed New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who held the previous record with 4,758 runs. This achievement follows Mandhana’s recent success earlier this month, where she also claimed the top spot in total women’s international runs across all formats, overtaking former Indian captain Mithali Raj after a standout performance in the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai.
India finished their innings at 195-4, bolstered by a spectacular performance from opener Shafali Verma. Verma struck her maiden T20 century, remaining unbeaten on 100 off 49 balls, a knock highlighted by three fours and nine sixes. Her century was reached on the final ball of the innings, prompting an emotional celebration in front of her teammates. Bangladesh struggled in response, ultimately bundled out for 81 runs in 15.4 overs.
India’s pursuit of gold will continue on Tuesday against Sri Lanka, marking a rematch of the recent Asia Cup final. Sri Lanka booked their ticket to the championship match after an eight-wicket victory over Pakistan. Led by captain Chamari Athapaththu, the Sri Lankan side successfully chased down a target of 178 with 13 balls to spare.
Pakistan had set a competitive total of 177-4 after being invited to bat. Ayesha Zafar and Shawaal Zulfiqar provided the foundation with a 115-run partnership for the third wicket—the highest in the format for Pakistan for that specific wicket. Zafar reached her half-century in just 27 balls, marking the joint third-fastest WT20I fifty for her nation. Late contributions from captain Fatima Sana, who scored 20 off 12 balls, helped Pakistan add 27 runs in their final three overs.
During the chase, Athapaththu proved lethal for Sri Lanka, scoring 83 not out from 50 balls with seven fours and six sixes. Despite a breakthrough by Nashra Sundhu in the 14th over, Athapaththu teamed up with Harshitha Samrawickrama to score a quickfire 47 off 23 balls, sealing the win. Pakistan and Bangladesh are now scheduled to compete for the bronze medal on Tuesday. The report also notes that the recently crowned Asian champions defeated Bangladesh by 114 runs on Sunday as Mandhana’s fellow opener Shafali Verma hit her maiden T20 hundred at the Korogi Athletic Park ground in Nagoya. The report also notes that earlier this month, Mandhana reached the top of overall run-scoring charts in women’s international cricket after smashing a record-breaking 124 off 64 balls in the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai. The report also notes that who had been the top international scorer with 10,868 international runs, during her match-winning innings against Hong Kong on Thursday, mandhana overtook former India captain Mithali Raj. The report also notes that in reply, Sana broke Sri Lanka’s 36-run opening stand in the fifth over, bowling out Imesha Dulani for 27.
