Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Shafali Verma added two landmarks to an already remarkable young career on Saturday, September 5, becoming the youngest and fastest batter to 3,000 runs in Women’s T20Is. The India opener reached the milestone during the Women’s Asia Cup Group A clash against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, rewriting two records in the process.
At 22 years and 220 days, Shafali comfortably surpassed Ireland’s Gaby Lewis, who was 24 years and 347 days old when she reached 3,000 T20I runs. The Indian also completed the landmark in just 2,182 balls, bettering Australia great Alyssa Healy’s previous record of 2,321 deliveries.
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Shafali, who made her India T20I debut in 2019 at the age of 15, is now the third Indian woman after Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana to cross 3,000 runs in the format. Her career has been defined by an attacking style that has made her one of the most destructive openers in women’s cricket. Despite being only 22, she has already amassed considerable experience at the international level.
Youngest to 3,000 runs in Women’s T20Is
- Shafali Verma (India) – 22 years, 220 days
- Gaby Lewis (Ireland) – 24 years, 347 days
- Esha Oza (UAE) – 27 years, 139 days
- Smriti Mandhana (India) – 27 years, 171 days
- Hayley Matthews (West Indies) – 27 years, 347 days
SHAFALI’S BLAZING START, INDIA’S SPIN CHOKE
Shafali reached the landmark in typically explosive fashion. She opened India’s chase with a six off Sadia Iqbal’s first delivery, before taking a single off the next ball to complete her 3,000 T20I runs. She added another single before Fatima Sana came into the attack and struck almost immediately.
Shafali smashed a short, wide delivery for four but was dismissed two balls later, caught and bowled for 12 off six balls, with a four and a six.
Her brief cameo nevertheless set the tone for India’s chase. Pakistan had earlier been bowled out for just 55 in 18.1 overs, their lowest-ever total in Women’s T20Is. India’s spinners Sree Charani and Prema Rawat claimed three wickets each, while Deepti Sharma took two as Pakistan’s innings collapsed after a promising start of 27 without loss.
India stumbled slightly in the chase, losing three wickets, but Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma took the team past the finish line in 8.4 overs, sealing a seven-wicket win with 68 balls to spare.
With the victory, India finished the group stage top of the table with six points and a net run rate of +5.471. They now await their semi-final opponent, with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the UAE fighting for the two remaining semi-final spots from Group B.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
