Maxwell scored the first ODI double ton for Australia.
Afghanistan batted first after winning the toss and with Ibrahim Zadran scoring 129*, posted 291/5 in 50 overs. Zadran became the first Afghani batter to score a Cricket World Cup century.
In response, the Afghan pacers Naveen Ul Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai picked two wickets each, and Rashid Khan pitched in with two as well, as Australia was reduced to 91/7 in the 19th over.
But then Pat Cummins (12* in 68 balls) anchored one end and Glenn Maxwell began counterattacking from the other one. He notched up a 76-ball century and his 150 came in 104 balls. But as the innings went on, Maxwell experienced some severe cramps and needed frequent fluid replenishments and multiple physio visits.
As Australia clawed their way back and was on course to an amazing win, Maxwell could no longer move freely in the crease due to cramps and hammered the bowlers just standing still. He completed an amazing 201* in 128 balls with 21 fours and 10 sixes to his name, taking Australia to a 3-wicket win and into the CWC 2023 semi-finals as well.
Legend Sachin Tendulkar praised Glenn Maxwell for his knock, posting on X: “A wonderful knock by @IZadran18 to put Afghanistan in a good position. They started well in the 2nd half and played good cricket for 70 overs but the last 25 overs from @Gmaxi_32 was more than enough to change their fortune. From Max pressure to Max performance! This has been the best ODI knock I’ve seen in my life.”
He further added more praise for Glenn Maxwell, pointing out how he struggled with cramps, but didn’t give up and took his team to the win.
Sachin posted: “Life and cricket have many parallels. Sometimes, like a spring, what pulls you back is also what propels you forward. During yesterday’s game, @Gmaxi_32’s cramps constrained his footwork. He had to stay put at the crease, but that enabled him to have a steady head, watch the ball closely, and let his hand-eye coordination do the work, backed by exceptional bat speed. Different formats of the game and stages of the game require different footwork. And sometimes, no footwork becomes great footwork too.”