Shafali Verma scripted history during India’s Women’s Asia Cup 2026 group stage match against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Indian opener became the youngest and fastest batter in terms of balls faced to reach 3,000 runs in Women’s T20 Internationals.
The landmark came during India’s chase of 56 against Pakistan. Shafali needed only seven runs to reach the historic mark and achieved it in remarkable fashion from the first two deliveries of India’s innings.
Shafali Reaches Landmark in Two Balls
Shafali began India’s chase with her trademark attacking approach. Facing left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, she smashed a six from the very first delivery.
She then took a single from the second ball to complete the seven runs she needed for 3,000 T20I runs. The achievement added another major milestone to the career of one of India’s most explosive opening batters.
Shafali eventually finished with 12 runs from six balls, including one four and one six. She was later caught and bowled by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, but her brief innings had already created history.
Youngest to 3,000 T20I Runs
Shafali Verma’s 3000 T20I runs milestone came at the age of 22 years and 220 days. This made her the youngest player in women’s T20I cricket to reach the landmark.
She surpassed Ireland captain Gaby Lewis, who previously held the record after reaching 3,000 runs at the age of 24 years and 347 days. Shafali’s record is another indication of how much she has achieved despite being relatively young.
The youngest to 3000 T20I runs list now has Shafali at the top, followed by Gaby Lewis, Esha Oza, Smriti Mandhana and Hayley Matthews.
Fastest Batter to Reach 3,000 Runs
Shafali also created another major record by becoming the fastest to 3000 T20I runs women in terms of deliveries faced.
She reached the landmark after facing just 2,182 balls in her Women’s T20I career. This surpassed the previous record held by former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy, who needed 2,321 deliveries to reach 3,000 runs.
The record underlines Shafali’s aggressive style and ability to score quickly throughout her international career.
Third Indian Woman to Achieve Feat
Shafali has also joined an elite group of Indian women’s cricketers to reach 3,000 T20I runs. She is only the third Indian woman to achieve the feat after captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana.
Overall, she became the 16th player in women’s T20I history to reach the milestone. Her achievement adds another impressive chapter to Shafali Verma’s T20I records.
India Complete Comfortable Victory
While Shafali’s record was the biggest individual highlight, India went on to comfortably defeat Pakistan by seven wickets. India chased down the target of 56 in just 8.4 overs.
Shafali’s milestone came early in the chase, but her achievement will remain one of the most memorable moments of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026. At only 22, she has already established herself among India’s leading T20I batters.
With both the youngest and fastest records now belonging to her, Shafali Verma’s 3,000 run milestone further highlights her remarkable impact on women’s international cricket.
