Smriti Mandhana Makes History as India Crushes Bangladesh to Reach Asian Games Final

Smriti Mandhana has written her name into the history books by becoming the highest run-scorer in women’s T20 international cricket, leading India to a dominant victory over Bangladesh in an Asian Games semifinal held in Japan.

India defeated Bangladesh by 114 runs on Sunday at the Korogi Athletic Park ground in Nagoya, powered by a stellar performance from Shafali Verma, who smashed her maiden T20 hundred.

Smriti Mandhana contributed 37 runs off 19 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes as India posted 195-4 in 20 overs. With this innings, she surpassed New Zealand all-rounder Suzie Bates’s long-standing record of 4,758 runs, bringing her career total to 4,788 runs from 171 innings. Earlier this month, Smriti Mandhana also claimed the top spot in overall women’s international cricket run-scoring charts during the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai, overtaking former India captain Mithali Raj.

Shafali Verma was the standout performer for India in the semifinal, finishing with 100 not out off 49 balls, featuring three fours and nine sixes. She reached her century on the final ball of the innings, celebrating emotionally as her teammates applauded from the boundary.

In response, India’s bowling attack restricted Bangladesh to just 81 runs in 15.4 overs. India will now face Sri Lanka on Tuesday in the gold medal match, setting up a rematch of the recent Asia Cup final.

Sri Lanka secured their place in the final after captain Chamari Athapaththu guided them to an eight-wicket win over Pakistan. Athapaththu scored an unbeaten 83 as Sri Lanka successfully chased down a 178-run target. Pakistan had earlier posted 177-4 in 20 overs, driven by half-centuries from Ayesha Zafar and Shawaal Zulfiqar. Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the bronze medal match on Tuesday.