Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Indian opener Shefali Verma may have been restricted to just 12 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 clash between India and Pakistan, but the short innings turned into a historic moment in her career. As soon as Shefali took the field against Pakistan, she achieved a major world record in women’s T20 international cricket.
Shefali Verma became the youngest batter to complete 3,000 runs in women’s T20 internationals. She reached the milestone at the age of 22 years and 220 days, breaking the previous record held by Ireland’s Gaby Lewis, who reached 3,000 T20I runs at the age of 24 years and 347 days.
Fastest to 3,000 T20I Runs as Well
Shefali’s achievement was not limited to age. She also set a record for reaching 3,000 runs in women’s T20I cricket in the fewest deliveries. She completed the milestone in just 2,182 balls, surpassing the previous record held by Australia’s Alyssa Healy, who reached the mark in 2,321 deliveries.
In the match against Pakistan, Shefali needed just seven runs to complete 3,000 T20I runs. She crossed the milestone early in the innings with her aggressive approach. She was then dismissed after scoring 12 runs off six balls, including one four and one six.
Joins Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur in Elite Club
With 3,000 T20I runs, Shefali Verma became the third Indian woman cricketer to reach the milestone. Before her, Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur had achieved the feat. Globally, crossing 3,000 runs in women’s T20 internationals is considered a major milestone.
Shefali made her international debut at a very young age. Her aggressive batting style has established her as one of the prominent players in women’s cricket. Although her 12-run innings against Pakistan was brief, the record she achieved during those few deliveries has made the performance one of the memorable milestones of her career.
India Bowled Pakistan Out for 55 Runs
Talking about the match, India’s bowlers kept Pakistan’s batting under intense pressure throughout the innings. Pakistan were bowled out for 55 runs, their lowest total in women’s T20 international cricket. Indian spinners repeatedly troubled the Pakistani batters.
India then comfortably chased down the target of 56 runs and registered a seven-wicket victory. With the win, India continued its unbeaten campaign in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 and secured the top position in Group A.
Thus, while Shefali Verma’s innings against Pakistan may show only 12 runs on the scoreboard, those runs were enough for her to create two major records in women’s T20 cricket. Her achievement of becoming the youngest and fastest player to reach 3,000 T20I runs will remain a memorable milestone in her career.
