Shafali Verma set to be centre of attraction in warm up T20 against South Africa

After having broken the shackles and emerged as one of the country’s brightest cricketing prospects from the city of Rohtak where the thought of girls playing outdoor sports is still amusing to this day, Shafali Verma will be looking forward to make a mark in the warm up T20 against South Africa.

The swashbuckling opener had impressed with her power-hitting for Velocity in the Women’s T20 challenge held earlier this year and where she shared the room with former national skipper Mithali Raj. The veteran announcing her retirement from the game’s shortest format then paved the way for Verma to receive her maiden call up for the three T20s in Surat against the South African women’s cricket team to be held on the 24th, 26th and 29th of October.

A mere 15 years old, her first opportunity to make a name for herself on the big stage will be in the warm up game where she’ll be representing the Board President’s XI on Friday at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, followed by another match on Sunday. Compatriots Mansi Joshi and Pooja Vastrakar are also a part of the national squad and a good couple of matches will go a long way in raising their spirits.