Shafali Verma added another defining chapter to her already trailblazing international career, becoming the youngest and fastest batter to complete 3,000 runs in women’s T20 Internationals.
The 22-year-old Indian opener reached the landmark at 22 years and 220 days during India’s seven-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai, eclipsing Ireland captain Gaby Lewis, who had previously been the youngest to reach the mark at 24 years and 347 days. Verma also got there in just 2,182 balls, underlining the attacking intent that has made her one of India’s most distinctive white-ball match-winners.
The milestone came in Harmanpreet Kaur-led India’s third Group A fixture of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 against Fatima Sana’s Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Needing only seven runs before the contest to reach 3,000 T20I runs, Shafali struck 12 from six deliveries in a small chase of 56, hitting a six on the first ball of the run chase and later hitting a boundary in her knock, while opening alongside Smriti Mandhana. India completed the chase with seven wickets in hand to conclude the league phase unbeaten, topping Group A with six points from three matches.
Hosted by the United Arab Emirates for the first time, the sixth edition of the tournament is being held from August 28 to September 13. India had already become the first side to qualify for the semi-finals after emphatic wins over Thailand by 94 runs and Hong Kong by 137 runs. The victory over Pakistan extended that commanding start and ensured India headed into the knockouts with both momentum and a major individual landmark to celebrate.
Verma is now only the third Indian woman to score 3,000 T20I runs, following captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Mandhana. It is an achievement that reflects both her longevity and the extraordinary speed at which she scores. Since making her T20I debut against South Africa in Surat on September 24, 2019, Verma has accumulated 3,005 runs in 114 matches and 113 innings, at an average of 28.08 and a strike rate of 137.46. Her tally includes 19 half-centuries.
Her most memorable T20I innings remains the 81 from 48 balls against Nepal at Dambulla during the 2024 Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Opening with Dayalan Hemalatha, Verma struck 12 fours and a six to drive India to 178 for 3 before they sealed an 82-run victory. She was named Player of the Match for that innings, a reminder of her ability not merely to accumulate runs but to take a game away from opponents rapidly.
That same high-tempo approach has been evident in the ongoing Asia Cup. Shafali is India’s second-highest run-scorer and the tournament’s second-highest overall, with 104 runs from three innings at an average of 34.66 and a strike rate of 176.27, including a half-century. Her latest record therefore feels like more than a personal statistical landmark: it is another indication that India’s opening batter is shaping the tournament’s narrative at a decisive time.
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