Shafali Verma, on Thursday (September 21), created history as she starred with the bat for the Indian women’s team against Malaysia in the quarterfinal of the ongoing Asian Games 2023.

The Indian team (men or women) played a cricket match in the Asian Games for the first time in history on Thursday. Cricket was played in the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014 but the BCCI had not sent any contingent. However, the Indian cricket board has sent both teams for the ongoing edition.

And while the men’s team will play its first match later this month, the women’s team made its Asian Games bow on Thursday. Unfortunately, the game was washed out but not before a scintillating batting performance from the Women in Blue. India also booked their place in the semifinal thanks to higher seeding. Team India is the top-seeded team in the men’s as well as women’s event.

Shafali Verma creates history:

Before rain interrupted the match, Shafali Verma created history by becoming the Indian batter across genders to score a half-century in the Asian Games. The 19-year-old came out all guns blazing with the bat after Malaysia won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Shafali Verma and her opening partner Smriti Mandhana added 57 runs in just 32 balls for the first wicket before the latter departed after scoring 27 runs. Shafali Verma, however, went on to complete a fine fifty and eventually departed for 67 runs. Her knock came off just 39 balls and was studded with four fours and five sixes.

She completed her fifty in style by hitting a six down the ground in the 11th over. And as soon as the ball landed outside the boundary, the youngster became the first-ever Indian to score a half-century in the Asian Games.

.@TheShafaliVerma was a class act with the bat in the 19th #AsianGames quarter-final 🏏💥

React to her 🔥innings in one emoji 💬#SonySportsNetwork #Hangzhou2022 #TeamIndia #Cheer4India #IssBaarSauPaar pic.twitter.com/v7TVVeKB9K

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 21, 2023

Talking about the game, India posted a huge total of 173 for 2 in 15 overs. After the fifty-plus opening stand with Mandhana, Shafali Verma shared another crucial stand of 86 runs for the second wicket with Jemimah Rodrigues. Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh then helped India finish the innings strongly.

While Rodrigues remained unbeaten on 47 off 29 balls, Richa smashed 21 off just 7 balls. In reply, Malaysia could face only two balls before rain brought an end to the action.

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