World of cricket: Shafali Verma youngest to 1,000 T20I runs; Babar, Rizwan on song in New Zealand

In the Asia Cup game against Bangladesh, Shafali Verma became the youngest batter in women’s cricket - at 18 years, 253 days - to complete 1,000 T20I career runs.

Shafali Verma struck her first T20I half­-century after more than 18 months in India’s 59-­run win over Bangladesh in the Women’s Asia Cup. | Photo Credit: PTI

Shafali’s feat

Mercurial Pakistan lost to Thailand before defeating arch-­rival India in the Women’s Asia Cup. Nida Dar scored an unbeaten halfcentury as Pakistan posted 137 for eight in its 20 overs. She then picked up two wickets with her off-­spin to help bowl India out for 124. Nashra Sandhu was the other chief contributor with the ball, picking three for 30. Opener Shafali Verma struck her first T20I half­-century after more than 18 months in India’s 59-­run win over Bangladesh. In that same game, she became the youngest batter in women’s cricket — at 18 years, 253 days — to complete 1,000 T20I career runs.

England beats Australia

Alex Hales and Jos Buttler accumulated 132 runs for England’s first­-wicket partnership as England beat Australia by eight runs in Perth, in the first match of a three-­match T20I series between the two sides. Mark Wood was the most successful England bowler with three wickets. David Warner’s 44-­ball 73 went in vain.

Rizwan, Babar among the runs in tri-series

The two most reputed batters in the Pakistan line­-up continue to be among the runs. Thanks to Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten 78 (51 balls), Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 21 runs in Christchurch. And the next day, Babar Azam scored an unbeaten 79 (53 balls) in Pakistan’s six-wicket victory over New Zealand.

Devon Conway (70 n.o., 51b) and off-spinner Michael Bracewell (2 for 14 in four overs) starred in New Zealand’s win over Bangladesh in the third match.