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.

Watch Bombay Sport Exchange | The biggest problem in Indian sport isn't cricket - Part 1 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.Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines 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 Get the latest Sports News and Live updates.

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