Smriti Mandhana becomes women’s international cricket’s leading run-scorer

Smriti Mandhana has become the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket, passing former India captain Mithali Raj’s career total of 10,868 runs across all formats.

The India vice-captain reached the milestone during a match-winning innings against Hong Kong in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup in Dubai. Mandhana scored 124 from 64 balls, including 14 fours and seven sixes, to take her international total to 10,880. India made 193 for five, then dismissed Hong Kong for 56 to win by 137 runs and secure a semifinal place.

The innings brought further records. Mandhana’s 124 was the highest individual score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history, while her 18th international century moved her ahead of Meg Lanning and Laura Wolvaardt, who had each made 17. It was also Mandhana’s second T20 international hundred.

Mandhana, who debuted for India in 2013, said she had not known the exact record while batting. She described Raj as a legend and role model, and said her greater measure of success would be inspiring girls to take up cricket and helping more Indian batters reach the game’s highest levels.