# Shafali Verma hits century as India reach Asian Games 2026 final

2026-09-20T22:27:47+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Shafali Verma smashed an unbeaten 100 off 49 balls, her maiden T20I century, powering India to a 114-run win over Bangladesh in the Asian Games semifinal. The 22-year-old opener hit three fours and nine sixes, becoming the first Indian woman to score a century in the Asian Games. India will face Sri Lanka in the gold-medal match on Sunday. Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop called the century a fitting reward for Shafali's recent form. She has scored 815 runs in T20Is this year, second only to South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt. Her eight 50-plus scores in 2026 match Smriti Mandhana's record for most in a calendar year. ABP News reported that Shafali celebrated the milestone emotionally, reflecting her journey back into the side after being dropped last year. Bangladesh, chasing 196, were bowled out for 81 in 15.4 overs.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All three sources report Shafali Verma's unbeaten 49-ball century as the core fact, but they frame its significance differently. Rediff.com leads with former cricketer Ian Bishop's praise and statistical context: her 2026 T20I run tally, six-hitting records, and knockout form. ABP News builds its story around Shafali's emotional celebration after the milestone, foregrounding her

## Coverage

- rediff.com (neutral report) <https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/due-reward-ian-bishop-hails-shafali-verma-after-landmark-t20i-century/20260920.htm>
  Leads with Ian Bishop's praise and statistical records rather than comeback narrative
- news.abplive.com (neutral report) <https://news.abplive.com/sports/cricket/shefali-verma-emotional-celebration-in-tears-after-century-in-asian-games-2026-video-1867542>
  Foregrounds Shafali's emotional celebration and comeback from being dropped last year
- sportstar.thehindu.com (neutral report) <https://sportstar.thehindu.com/asian-games/news/asian-games-2026-womens-cricket-india-beats-bangladesh-to-face-sri-lanka-gold-medal-match/article71487321.ece>
  Straight match report leading with scoreline and next opponent

Tags: Asian Games, Bangladesh women's cricket, Ian Bishop, India women's cricket, Shafali Verma
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Cite: https://indianopinion.org/shafali-verma-scores-first-t20i-century-at-asian-games/#story-in-brief