Shafali Verma turned a modest chase into a record night for Indian cricket. During India’s Women’s Asia Cup 2026 game against Pakistan in Dubai on September 5, the 22-year-old became the youngest woman to reach 3,000 T20I runs and the quickest to the landmark by balls faced. She began the chase needing seven runs. A six followed by a single took her there in two deliveries.
India had already dismissed Pakistan for 55, their lowest Women’s T20I total, before winning by seven wickets in 8.4 overs. Shafali’s stay lasted only six balls, yet her 12 runs produced two global records and placed her alongside Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur in India’s 3,000-run club.
Key Highlights From Shafali Verma’s Record Night
- Shafali reached 3,000 T20I runs aged 22 years and 220 days, beating Gaby Lewis’s record.
- She got there after 2,182 balls faced, overtaking Alyssa Healy for the quickest 3,000 by deliveries.
- The landmark came from a single after she launched Sadia Iqbal’s first ball for six.
- She became India’s third woman after Mandhana and Harmanpreet to cross 3,000 T20I runs.
- India beat Pakistan by seven wickets after bowling them out for a record-low 55.
How Did Shafali Verma Reach 3,000 T20I Runs So Quickly?
Shafali walked out on 2,993 career T20I runs. Pakistan spinner Sadia Iqbal opened the bowling and Shafali immediately cleared long-off for six. The next ball was clipped for one, bringing up 3,000. The India versus Pakistan match scorecard records the milestone at 0.2 overs.
The age record was emphatic. Shafali was 22 years and 220 days old, while Ireland’s Gaby Lewis had reached 3,000 at 24 years and 347 days. Shafali also became the fastest woman to the mark by balls faced, needing 2,182 deliveries and surpassing former Australia captain Alyssa Healy.
There is an important statistical distinction. Shafali is not the fastest woman to 3,000 by innings. She reached it in her 113th innings, while Beth Mooney had done so in 100. The global “fastest” record refers to balls faced. After scoring 12 from six balls, Shafali ended the match on 3,005 T20I runs from 114 matches, with 19 fifties and a strike rate above 137.
What Was Shafali Verma’s Other World Record Against Pakistan?
That opening six created another first. Shafali became the first player in Women’s T20I cricket to hit a six from the first ball of an innings on two separate occasions. Remarkably, both came against Pakistan and both were struck off Sadia Iqbal.
The first came during the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup at Edgbaston, where Shafali became the first batter to start a Women’s T20 World Cup innings with a six. She repeated it in Dubai during the Asia Cup. The earlier feat was also reported by NDTV Sports after the World Cup game.
The ICC’s official India-Pakistan match report highlighted the shot and embedded an Instagram post from the match coverage. Shafali had already contributed with the ball. She bowled Muneeba Ali for 13 for India’s first breakthrough before Sree Charani, Prema Rawat and Deepti Sharma dismantled Pakistan’s middle and lower order.
Why Was India’s Win Over Pakistan Packed With Records?
Pakistan’s 55 all out in 18.1 overs became their lowest Women’s T20I score. Sree Charani returned 3/7, Prema Rawat took 3/9 and Deepti Sharma claimed 2/5. India then reached 57/3 with 68 balls remaining, their fourth-biggest Women’s T20I win by balls left.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana briefly interrupted the chase, taking all three wickets for 17 runs. She dismissed Shafali caught and bowled for 12, then removed Pratika Rawal and Mandhana. Harmanpreet and Deepti finished the job, with Harmanpreet sealing victory with a six.
There were milestones elsewhere too. Harmanpreet captained India in a T20I for the 150th time. Mandhana arrived days after becoming women’s international cricket’s leading run-scorer and scoring 124 against Hong Kong. Reuters reported Mandhana’s record-breaking rise. India completed Group A unbeaten with three wins and advanced to the semi-finals as group leaders.
Where Does Shafali Verma Go From Here?
At only 22, Shafali already owns 3,005 T20I runs and one of the format’s most aggressive scoring rates. The landmark also shows how quickly her career has accumulated volume without losing her attacking approach. Her next statistical chase is straightforward: close the gap on Mandhana and Harmanpreet while remaining India’s high-tempo opener.
FAQs
How old was Shafali Verma when she reached 3,000 T20I runs?
She was 22 years and 220 days old when she reached the landmark against Pakistan.
How many balls did Shafali Verma need for 3,000 T20I runs?
She reached 3,000 after facing 2,182 balls, the quickest by any woman in T20Is.
Who held the youngest 3,000-run record before Shafali Verma?
Ireland’s Gaby Lewis held it, reaching 3,000 T20I runs aged 24 years and 347 days.
What did Shafali Verma score against Pakistan in the Asia Cup?
She made 12 from six balls, including one four and one six, before being dismissed.
Did India beat Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 match?
Yes, India won by seven wickets after dismissing Pakistan for their record-low 55.
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