Dubai: It is rare in cricket for one team’s player to score exactly as many runs as all the batters of the opposition combined, especially when that opposition team goes on to suffer a heavy defeat. But that unusual feat occurred in Sunday night’s Women’s T20 Asia Cup match between India and Thailand.
Indian opener Shafali Verma scored 64 runs as the World No. 3-ranked India finished their innings at 159/9. Thailand, ranked 12th, were then bowled out for 65, with their batters scoring 64 runs and an extra contributing the remaining one run.
Shafali wins Player of the Match award
For her blazing knock of 64 runs off 36 balls, @TheShafaliVerma receives the Player of the Match award. 👏🏾👏🏾
Details – https://t.co/Tgf2CJnHta #AsiaCup #INDvTHAI pic.twitter.com/98hSWhMTdM— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) August 30, 2026
Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India secured a massive 94-run victory. Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match. She also took a catch to dismiss one of Thailand’s batters.
Three sixes and eight fours for Shafali
Shafali’s 64 was the highest individual score among all 22 players in the match. She scored her runs off just 36 balls, hitting three sixes and eight fours.
In a nutshell, Shafali’s contribution alone put Thailand under considerable pressure, and their innings eventually folded for just 65, including one run in wides.
Contributions from Pratika, Smriti and Kranti Gaud
After India were asked to bat first, Shafali was involved in two useful partnerships. She shared a 38-run opening stand with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who scored 19 runs with four fours. Smriti was run out while attempting a hurried second run.
Shafali then added 53 runs for the second wicket with Pratika Rawal, who made 22 off 18 balls, including one six and two fours.
Towards the end of the innings, pace bowler Kranti Gaud remained unbeaten on 15, hitting one six and one four. Among Thailand’s bowlers, spinner Saliporn Laomi was the most successful, taking three wickets.
Three wickets for Deepti Sharma in her 150th match
India’s bowlers were equally impressive. Lead spinner Deepti Sharma produced an extraordinary spell of 1.1-1-0-3. It was her 150th T20 match.
Bowler Nandani Sharma took three wickets for 18 runs, spinner Shri Charani claimed two wickets for 10 runs, while pace bowler Kranti Gaud picked up one wicket for 26 runs.
Spinner Prema Rawat did not take a wicket, but she bowled an economical four-over spell, conceding just 11 runs.