Glenn Maxwell played a knock of not only this ICC World Cup 2023 but probably of all-time as his unbeaten double century helped Australia snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against Australia in Mumbai on November 7.
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and chose to bat first. They adopted a similar approach to India had against South Africa in the last match played at this venue and batted sensibly.
Ibrahim Zadran scored 129* to anchor one end, scoring the first-ever World Cup century for Afghanistan. He hit 8 fours and 3 sixes as well. Apart from him, Rashid Khan (35*) and Rahmat Shah (30) were other notable scorers as Afghanistan posted 291/5 in 50 overs.
Many thought the target would give the mighty Australians some competition, but the Afghanistan bowlers had something else in mind. Though the Afghans had picked four spinners in their XI, it was Azmatullah Omarzai and Naveen Ul Haq who did the most damage upfront.
Both took two wickets, with Omarzai dismissing David Warner and Josh Inglis in consecutive balls. Australia seemed in a lost cause when Rashid Khan also picked two wickets to reduce the five-time world champions to 91/7 in the 19th over.
But then captain Pat Cummins supported Glenn Maxwell, who slowly rebuilt the innings and then gained tempo. His 100 came off 76 balls and 150 came off just 104 balls. On the other hand, Pat Cummins remained unbeaten on 12* in 68 balls with one four.
Maxwell’s brutal hitting took the game out of Afghanistan bowlers’ hands as he completed a scintillating double century in just 128 balls with 21 fours and 10 sixes to his name. His 202*-run 8th wicket partnership with Cummins gave Australia an amazing 3-wicket win.
Maxwell with his 201*, became the first batter to hit a double ton in a chase in ODIs. He also went past Shane Watson’s 185 and scored the highest individual score in ODIs for Australia, becoming the first ODI double-centurion from down under.
This knock from Glenn Maxwell also helped Australia confirm their spot in the ICC World Cup 2023 semi-finals. They became the third team after India and South Africa to do so.
Cricket fraternity was left speechless with the display of batting Maxwell showed, despite battling cramps and back spasms. They lauded the Australian dasher on X.
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