Shafali Verma Creates T20I History Against Pakistan as India Cruise to 7-Wicket Asia Cup Win
Shafali Verma Record: India's explosive opener Shafali Verma added another major milestone to her career during the Women's Asia Cup 2026 clash against Pakistan in Dubai. The 22-year-old became the youngest woman to complete 3,000 runs in T20 internationals, achieving the landmark as India registered a dominant seven-wicket victory over their arch-rivals.
Shafali was 22 years and 220 days old when she crossed the 3,000-run mark, breaking the previous age record held by Ireland's Gaby Lewis.
The Indian opener also achieved the milestone faster than any other woman in terms of balls faced, reaching 3,000 T20I runs after facing only 2,182 deliveries.
While Shafali's record grabbed attention, India's bowlers had already laid the foundation for a comfortable victory by dismissing Pakistan for only 55 runs. India completed the chase in just 8.4 overs to strengthen their position at the top of Group A.
Shafali Verma Breaks Gaby Lewis' Age Record
Shafali's achievement is particularly notable because of the age at which she reached the 3,000-run landmark.
The previous record belonged to Ireland batter Gaby Lewis, who had completed 3,000 T20I runs at the age of 24 years and 347 days.
Shafali reached the same milestone at 22 years and 220 days, lowering the age record by more than two years.
Her aggressive approach to batting also helped her establish another record. Shafali required only 2,182 balls to accumulate her first 3,000 T20I runs, making her the fastest woman to the milestone in terms of deliveries faced, according to the report.
Third Indian Woman to Reach 3,000 T20I Runs
The milestone also placed Shafali in a select group of Indian women's cricketers.
She became only the third Indian woman to cross 3,000 runs in T20 internationals, joining two of India's most accomplished batters, Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur.
Overall, Shafali became the 16th woman in international cricket to reach the 3,000-run mark in the T20I format.
What makes the achievement stand out is the aggressive batting style with which she has accumulated those runs. Known for attacking bowlers from the start of an innings, Shafali has built her reputation as one of India's most destructive opening batters.
Shafali Reaches Milestone During Pakistan Chase
India needed only 56 runs to win after its bowlers dismantled Pakistan's batting line-up.
Shafali began the chase in her familiar attacking fashion.
Facing Pakistan spinner Sadia Iqbal, she launched a delivery for a six before taking a single off the following ball to complete her 3,000th T20I run.
Her innings, however, did not last much longer.
Shafali was dismissed for 12 runs from six deliveries, an innings that included one four and one six. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana dismissed the Indian opener with a caught-and-bowled effort.
Although Shafali departed early, the modest target meant India remained firmly in control of the contest.
Pakistan Bowled Out for Just 55
The biggest difference between the two teams came during Pakistan's innings.
Pakistan's batters struggled badly against India's spin attack and were bowled out for only 55 runs.
According to the report, it was Pakistan women's team's lowest total in T20 international cricket, making the defeat even more damaging.
India's spinners were responsible for most of the destruction.
Shree Charani and Prema Rawat picked up three wickets each, preventing Pakistan from building any meaningful partnerships.
Experienced all-rounder Deepti Sharma added another two wickets as Pakistan's innings collapsed.
With such a small total to defend, Pakistan's bowlers needed an extraordinary performance to create a contest.
India Finish Chase in Only 8.4 Overs
Despite losing three wickets, India never appeared under serious pressure while chasing the 56-run target.
The Women in Blue reached 57 for three in 8.4 overs, sealing the match with plenty of deliveries remaining.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 18 and completed the victory in emphatic fashion by hitting a six.
India consequently won the contest by seven wickets, adding another convincing result against Pakistan and moving to the top of Group A.
A Memorable Match for Shafali Verma
Shafali may have scored only 12 runs in the match, but those runs carried considerable significance.
At just 22 years of age, reaching 3,000 T20I runs highlights how much international cricket she has already played and the impact she has made at the top of India's batting order.
Becoming the youngest woman to achieve the milestone while also getting there in the fewest balls adds another chapter to her growing list of batting achievements.
More importantly for India, her individual record came in a commanding team victory.
Pakistan's collapse for 55 left India with a straightforward chase, and the seven-wicket win further strengthened the team's campaign in the Women's Asia Cup 2026.
For Shafali, meanwhile, the Pakistan encounter will be remembered for more than the result. It was the match in which she entered the 3,000-run club alongside some of the biggest names in women's T20 international cricket—and did so at a younger age than anyone before her.