'As a team, we are so happy with the way women's cricket is growing' - Shafali Verma on progress of Thailand and UAE

India defeated Thailand by 94 runs in their Women's Asia Cup 2026 Group A match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on August 30, 2026. After Thailand won the toss and chose to bowl first, India posted 159 for 9 in 20 overs. The Indian batting unit reached 91 for one before losing five wickets for 36 runs to slip to 139 for nine. They eventually finished on 159 for 9. Thailand were subsequently bowled out for 65 in 16.1 overs.

Shafali Verma scored 64 off 36 balls with eight fours and three sixes, reaching her fifty off 26 balls. She acknowledged the team's batting struggles during the middle overs and outlined the need for detailed assessment.

The right-handed batter asserted that the Indian batting unit would review its approach on such turning surfaces.

"We will just go back and see where we are going wrong as a batting unit and where we can improve. Today's game is done and we did really well, and whenever we go to our room, we are just thinking about what we can improve and what we can give more to the team," Shafali said in the post-match press conference.

Shafali reflects on India's middle-order struggles

Smriti Mandhana contributed 19 from 10 balls with four boundaries before her dismissal. Harmanpreet Kaur managed only 5 off 9 balls, while Bharati Fulamali scored 13 off 14 balls. Richa Ghosh departed without scoring, and Deepti Sharma added 5 runs. The middle-order batters struggled to build on the strong start provided by Shafali and Mandhana.

Shafali was aware of the pitch conditions before the match began and had prepared accordingly for the turning surface. She explained how the track behaved differently as the innings progressed, with the new ball offering easier batting conditions before deteriorating.

"As we all know, we came here and before that also, we all knew there would be a turning track, there would be a bit of hold, so we were aware about this track," Shafali said.

Shafali's dismissal and the gripping surface

Shafali reflected on her own dismissal and acknowledged the challenge posed by the pitch's grip and turn. She had prepared for these conditions based on her experience in the UAE during the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup two years earlier.

"As a batter, I was set at that time. I just made a bit of a mistake. The ball gripped a little bit and came a little late. I might have been able to play it grounded," Shafali said.

"Two years back we came here for the World Cup, so I know the conditions and I am prepared. Back home, I was just preparing for this track and all," she added.

Praise for Thailand's bowlers and women's cricket growth

Shafali credited Thailand's bowlers for their performance and expressed optimism about the growth of women's cricket across the region.

"It's just cricket, in the end. I know we have to grow and we're just trying hard to show good cricket in the middle. We have practised hard for that, but just credit to the Thailand bowlers," Shafali said.

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The 22-year-old cricketer highlighted the importance of emerging teams like Thailand and the UAE continuing to improve and develop their skills.

"As a team, we are so happy with the way women's cricket is growing and the way they are improving. Hats off to them. I would say to them, just keep working hard. We are all so happy just seeing the improvement in women's cricket," she mentioned.

Deepti Sharma marked her 150th T20I appearance with a three-wicket spell during the match. For Thailand, Suleeporn Laomi took three wickets for 26 runs from four overs. India's victory extended their record as the most successful side in Women's Asia Cup history as the tournament continues in the UAE.