WATCH: Shafali Varma becomes first Indian player to score a fifty in Asian Games 2023
Shafali Varma (Image Credit: Twitter/Sony Sports)
India’s opening batter Shafali Varma has created history in the Asian Games 2023 quarterfinal against Malaysia on September 21. In the game, the Malaysian side won the toss and elected to bowl first in a rain-impacted game. However, the decision proved fatal as the Women In Blue amassed 57 in 5.2 overs. Smriti Mandhana (27) played an explosive inning before getting out to Izzati Ismail.
After this, rain stopped the game for a considerable time period and it led to the game being reduced to 15-overs-a-side. After the restart, Jemimah Rodrigues and Varma put together 86 runs in just 7.4 overs. During the partnership, the latter became the first Indian player to score a fifty in the Asian Games. The right-hander scored 67 runs in 39 balls including four fours and five sixes.
Watch the video here
The moment Shafali Verma created history, she becomes first Indian to score a fifty in Asian Games.
– Shafali Verma created history, The Star! pic.twitter.com/TUcK6yW9mT
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) September 21, 2023
On the other hand, Rodrigues hit 47 off 29 balls including six fours. Apart from her, Richa Ghosh played a cameo of 21 off seven balls including three fours and a six. In 15 overs, the team reached an improbable score of 173/2 for the opposition. In reply, the Yellow Brigade scored only one run in two balls before rain ensured no more rain was possible. As India was seeded higher, they have reached the semis and will play the winner of the fourth quarterfinal between Bangladesh and Hong Kong.
Apart from India, Pakistan women have also reached the semis as their quarterfinal against Indonesia was also called off due to rain. They will play the winner of the Sri Lanka vs Thailand knockout.
