Women's World Cup 2022: Shafali Verma channelizes inner AB de Villiers to execute perfect scoop shot

Team India has a lot to play for in the ongoing Women’s World Cup 2022 match against South Africa at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. While a win here will confirm India’s berth in the semi-finals, a defeat would knock them out of the competition. With stakes being so high in the game, young opener Shafali Verma put up a batting exhibition and slammed a quick-fire half-century.

The 18-year-old went after the bowlers from the outset and played some delightful shots all over the park. One of her shots garnered particular attention as Shafali channelized her inner AB de Villiers to execute the scoop shot to perfection. Notably, this happened in the very third over of the game, which was bowled by none other than the veteran Shabnim Ismail.

Shafali Verma took the charge against Shabnim Ismail

Ismail is one of the finest pacers going around and is currently the fourth-ranked bowler in Women’s ODI. However, her reputation didn’t restrict Shafali from playing her shots. She smashed Ismail for boundaries off the first two balls of the third over. The third delivery also traveled to the fence, but in a cheeky manner.

Ismail went for a length delivery aimed at the leg-stump to contain the dasher. Shafali, however, was up for the challenge as she walked across a long way towards off and executed a brilliant pick-up shot to send the ball over the short fine-leg boundary. The clip of Shafali’s brilliance went viral in no time as fans hailed the young batter.

Some outstanding shots from Shafali Verma#CWC22 #CricketTwitter #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/ccAJx9jrxi

— Krithika (@krithika0808) March 27, 2022

Meanwhile, Shafali brought up her half-century off just 40 deliveries with the help of eight boundaries. Unfortunately for India, she was run-out for 53. Nevertheless, she got India off to a flying start and laid a great foundation for the batters to come.

Besides Shafali, her opening partner Smriti Mandhana also scored 71 runs, while skipper Mithali Raj made 68. India are well on right track in the final league-stage game of the competition. However, the Women in Blue must not be complacent against a strong Proteas side.