Shafali Verma rages in final against Sri Lanka, smashes fastest fifty in Women’s Asia Cup T20

ByTech Word News

Shafali Verma produced another explosive batting display in the final of the Women’s Asia Cup T20, smashing the fastest fifty in the history of the tournament before departing Sri Lanka with a brilliant 68 off 39 balls. The Indian opener reached her half-century in just 24 balls, surpassing the previous record of 25 balls held by her partner Smriti Mandhana, who in 2022 achieved success against Sri Lanka in Sylhet.Shafali’s record fifty was built on a relentless boundary attack as she attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers during India’s blistering start.

Shafali rewrites Asian Cup record

Shafali’s 24-ball fifty now stands alone as the fastest half-century in Women’s Asia Cup T20 history.Fastest 50s in Women’s Asia Cup T20 (by face ball)

  • 24 – Shafali Verma (IND-W) vs SL-W, Dubai, 2026
  • 25 – Smriti Mandhana (IND-W) vs SL-W, Sylhet, 2022
  • 26 – Richa Ghosh (IND-W) vs. SAE-W, Dambulla, 2024
  • 26 – Shafali Verma (IND-W) vs. NEP-W, Dambulla, 2024
  • 26 – Shafali Verma (IND-W) vs. THA-W, Dubai, 2026

Shafali equals Athapathth’s record

Shafali’s 68 also secured her third 50-plus score in the ongoing tournament, bringing her level with Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu for the most 50-plus scores in a single edition of the Women’s Asia Cup T20. Athapaththu made three such scores during Sri Lanka’s victorious campaign in 2024. Shafali has now equaled that mark in the 2026 edition, with the final still underway.

Shafali and Smriti broke the record partnership

The Indian openers also forged a new record partnership in the Women’s Asia Cup T20. Shafali and Smriti Mandhana put on 129 runs, the highest partnership for any wicket in the history of the tournament. Their stand surpassed the previous record of 128 runs between Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma, who scored against the UAE in Sylhet in 2022.Highest Partnership in Women’s Asia Cup T20I (Any Wicket)

  • 129 – Shafali Mandhana, Shafali Verma (IND-W) vs SL-W, Dubai, 2026
  • 128 – Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma (IND-W) vs. SAE-W, Sylhet, 2022
  • 122 – Dayalan Hemalatha, Shafali Verma (IND-W) vs NEP-W, Dambulla, 2024
  • 116 – Sabbhineni Meghana, Shafali Verma (IND-W) vs MAS-W, Sylhet, 2022
  • 115 – Chamari Athapaththu, Anushka Sanjeewani (SL-W) vs MAS-W, Dambulla, 2024