Women's Asia Cup 2024: Shafali Verma Takes Confidence From South Africa Series Into Tournament

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Indian women's cricket team opener Shafali Verma is taking confidence from the recent series against South Africa into the Women's Asia Cup 2024, which got underway on Friday (July 19).

Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India will take on their arch-rivals Pakistan on the opening day of the tournament at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla. Ahead of the tournament opener, Shafali shared her toughts on the Asia Cup and her role in the side.

Shafali, who smashed a double century in the only Test against South Africa last month, opened up on her approach and preparations for the Women's T20 Asia Cup in an exclusive chat with Star Sports on 'Follow the Blues Show'.

"I am a right-hand batsman. My role in the team is an opening batsman. I think the preparations are good because we had a great South Africa series and we are all well prepared for Asia Cup. I hope our team does well and I can contribute for my team," Shafali said on Star Sports.

"You get confidence when you win the Asia Cup. And we will surely try to do well in the Asia Cup and win it. I think my role is to go and use the power play. The team gets benefits a lot from the strike rate I play usually, So my role is to be settle at the middle and score for the team."

Like her teammate, skipper Harmanpreet also spoke about the importance of a tournament like Asia Cup in a year that will also see the Women in Blue challenge for the T20 World Cup.

"This tournament is very important for all of us to prepare ourselves for the T20 World Cup. But at the same time, we always give equal respect to this tournament, because if you do well in an Asian tournament, you'll always improve your cricket at the world level," Harmanpreet said at the pre-tournament press conference.

"So, I think this tournament is equally important for us and our focus will remain the same, like how we prepare for the T20 World Cup or any other World Cup. So, each and every game is important for us to win and give our best."