Shafali Verma Hits 50 Off 26 Balls Against Thailand

Shafali Verma smashed a quickfire half-century off just 26 balls as India Women's made an aggressive start against Thailand Women's in their opening match of the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 in Dubai.

The Indian team got off to a flying start with Smriti Mandhana scoring 19 off 10 balls before being run out following a direct hit from the boundary. Mandhana had started brilliantly, hitting four boundaries before her dismissal.

Shafali Verma took the attack to the Thailand bowlers from the beginning and raced to her fifty with a series of attacking shots, including 7 fours and 3 sixes. Her explosive batting has put India in a strong position after Thailand chose to bowl first.

Pratika Rawal, making her T20I debut, joined Shafali at the crease and played positively, helping India maintain a high scoring rate. India managed to cross 100-runs in the first 10 overs of the game after the dismissal of debutant Pratika.

Thailand had won the toss and elected to bowl first, with stand-in captain Thipatcha Putthawong saying her side wanted to restrict India to around 170. However, India's aggressive start has put them in a strong position to achieve a big total.

The Indian team is looking to begin their Asia Cup campaign with a strong win before their much-anticipated clash against Pakistan on September 5. A win in this match will give them the momentum they need to take on the stronger teams in the tournament.

Shafali Verma's half-century is a testament to her explosive batting skills and her ability to take the game away from the opposition. Her partnership with Pratika Rawal has been crucial in setting up a big total for India.

The Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 is an important tournament for the Indian team, and a strong performance here will be crucial in their preparation for the upcoming international matches. With a strong start like this, India will be looking to capitalize on the momentum and make a deep run in the tournament.

In conclusion, Shafali Verma's half-century has given India a strong start in the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026, and they will be looking to build on this momentum to achieve a big win against Thailand. This win will be crucial in setting up their campaign for the rest of the tournament.