Shafali goes berserk in final, smashes fastest fifty in Women’s T20 Asia Cup

Shafali Verma

Shafali Verma produced another explosive batting display in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final, smashing the fastest fifty in the history of the tournament before departing for a blistering 68 off 39 balls against Sri Lanka.

The India opener reached her half-century in just 24 balls, surpassing the previous record of 25 balls held by her opening partner Smriti Mandhana, who achieved the feat against Sri Lanka in Sylhet in 2022.Shafali's record-breaking fifty was built around a relentless boundary assault as she took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers during India's power-packed start.

Shafali rewrites Asia Cup record

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

• 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 UAE-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 Athapaththu's record

Shafali's 68 also gave her a third 50-plus score in the ongoing tournament, putting her level with Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu for the most 50-plus scores in a single edition of the Women's T20 Asia Cup. Athapaththu had recorded three such scores during Sri Lanka's title-winning campaign in 2024. Shafali has now matched that mark in the 2026 edition, with the final still underway.

Shafali, Smriti smash record partnership

The India openers also established a new record partnership in the Women's T20 Asia Cup. Shafali and Smriti Mandhana put together 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, scored against the UAE in Sylhet in 2022.Highest partnerships in Women’s T20I Asia Cup (any wicket)

• 129 - Shafali Mandhana, Shafali Verma (IND-W) vs SL-W, Dubai, 2026
• 128 - Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma (IND-W) vs UAE-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