Shafali Verma rises in ICC rankings [Source: AFP]Shafali Verma made a major leap in the latest ICC rankings after the conclusion of the Women’s Asian Games T20 2026 in Japan. The attacking Indian opener fired a thunderous 49-ball century against Bangladesh in the semifinal this past weekend, and finished the multi-nation event as the highest run-getter.For aggregating 188 runs in just three innings of the 2026 Asian Games, the cricketer has now moved into the top four of the ICC T20I batting rankings with 756 rating points. As of now, only 29 points separates her from world number one ranked T20I batter, Beth Mooney.Shafali Verma reaches closer to number one T20I batting rankingShafali Verma bludgeoned 48 runs off just 29 balls with three fours and three sixes against Sri Lanka Women in the final of the 2026 Women’s Asian Games in Japan. Also Read- India Annihilate Sri Lanka To Win 1st Gold At Women’s Asian Games 2026Extending her tournament tally to 188 runs in three innings at an unreal average of 188, the 22-year-old is now one of the top four ranked T20I batters in women’s cricket. As per the latest ranking update, Shafali Verma surpassed opening partner Smriti Mandhana and West Indies legend Hayley Matthews to occupy the fourth slot with 756 rating points. She is only trailing behind top-ranked Beth Mooney, second-placed Georgia Voll and South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt on the batting charts.Shree Charani and Deepti Sharma among Indian bowlers reap ranking benefitsIndia Women’s in-form spinners Shree Charani and Deepti Sharma continue to occupy the top two slots on the latest ICC Women’s T20I bowling rankings. While Charani has garnered 799 rating points so far, senior pro Deepti is ranked second with 729 points.The Indian spin duo is followed by a quartet of England bowlers, comprising Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith.Notably, Shree Charani (8 wickets) and Deepti Sharma (7 wickets) also picked up the highest number of wickets at the 2026 Women’s T20 Asian Games. The two spinners also averaged less than four with the ball. Fellow Indian bowlers Kranti Gaud rose to 57th, and Nandani Sharma climbed to 72nd slot as the two cricketers also made significant gains in the rankings.Pakistan stars climb higher despite missing Asian Games 2026 finalPakistan Women's team batter Shawaal Zulfiqar broke into the top 30 by climbing 16 rungs. She reached her career-best points tally of 558 with scores of 25 and 54 in the quarterfinal and semifinal of the 2026 Women’s T20 Asian Games. Ayesha Zafar also climbed a staggering 31 places to occupy 40th position on the ICC Women’s batting rankings. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana surpassed as many as five bowlers to be ranked 24th on the list. As of now, she is the second-highest ranked Pakistani bowler on the ICC T20I women’s bowling charts.A look at Shafali Verma’s recent formApart from finishing at the top of the run-scoring pile at the 2026 Women’s Asian Games T20, Shafali Verma also won the ‘Player of the Series’ award at the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month.The blistering right-handed opening batter bludgeoned match-winning half-centuries against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the semifinal and final, respectively, to mount 236 runs from five innings of the tournament at a splendid average of 47.20.Also Read- Delhi Capitals' Former IPL Ace Announces Retirement From Cricket
