‘Your Team Just Scored 55’: Fatima Sana’s Fiery Send-Off to Shafali Verma in Asia Cup

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana grabbed attention during the Women’s Asia Cup clash against India at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday, particularly for her fiery send-off to Indian opener Shafali Verma.

Sana, who claimed three wickets after Pakistan were bowled out for just 55, dismissed Shafali with the third delivery of the second over of India’s chase.

The Pakistan skipper bowled a good-length delivery that bounced slightly more than Shafali expected. The Indian opener attempted to work it towards the leg side but got a leading edge that looped back towards the bowler. Sana completed a straightforward catch before gesturing towards the pavilion, signalling Shafali to leave.

Shafali, however, showed no reaction and calmly walked back to the dressing room after scoring 12 off six balls, including a six and a four.

“Okay, you are showing her the way out. Your entire team just scored 55 runs, and now you’re sending Shafali Verma back,” commentator Vivek Razdan said on air.

Despite her early dismissal, Shafali had a milestone moment in the match. At 22 years and 220 days, she became the youngest batter to cross 3,000 runs in women’s T20Is. She also reached the landmark in just 2,182 balls, surpassing Australia’s Alyssa Healy, who had previously held the record with 2,321 deliveries.

Shafali also overtook Ireland’s Gaby Lewis, who was 24 years and 347 days old when she reached 3,000 T20I runs.

How India vs Pakistan unfolded

Fatima won the toss and opted to bat, but Pakistan’s decision quickly backfired as the team was bowled out for 55 in 18.1 overs.

For India, Shree Charani and Prema Rawat claimed three wickets each, while Deepti Sharma picked up two.

India made a flying start to the chase, with Shafali hitting a six off the first ball. Fatima then provided Pakistan with a brief opening by dismissing Shafali, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal.

However, the early setbacks did little to derail India’s chase. Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 18, while Deepti Sharma scored an unbeaten 12 as India completed a comfortable seven-wicket victory with 68 balls to spare.