Glenn Maxwell played an innings of a lifetime to pull off a heist for Australia against Afghanistan in Match 39 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday (November 7).
Chasing 292 to win, the Aussies were reeling at 91 for 7. Amid the pressure situation, Maxwell rose to the occasion, smashing 201* off 128 balls to take his team over the line with three wickets in hand and 19 deliveries to spare.
During his jaw-dropping knock, Maxwell forged an unbeaten 202-run partnership with Pat Cummins in which the Australian captain contributed 12* off 68 balls.
Despite struggling with cramps and fitness issues, Maxwell unleashed some outrageous shots as he hit 21 fours and 10 sixes to become the first batter to slam a double ton while chasing in ODIs.
With this jaw-dropping innings, Glenn Maxwell left the fans and former cricketers awestruck, including the ex-Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Akhtar said he has been watching the game for a long time now but has never witnessed such a miracle before.
“We saw a miracle. His legs and arms weren’t working. Glenn Maxwell vs Afghanistan. It was 91 for seven. Then one guy, Glenn Maxwell. There were two dropped catches, he could have gone the first ball. But what an unbelievable innings that he played for Australia. I haven’t seen anything like this. I have been watching cricket for several years, but something like this, pulling it off with nobody behind him. He was just standing there and hitting sixes,” Akhtar stated.
“Hats off to him. He could have gotten retired hurt or given up, but he didn’t. It was true patriotism that was driving him that somehow Australia needed to get these two points. If they had lost this game, they would have been in big trouble,” he added.
Thanks to Maxwell’s herculean knock, Australia qualified for the semi-final of the World Cup 2023 with a league match to spare.
After the game, Glenn Maxwell said that he had aspired to play such an innings for a long time.
“I feel like I had those types of innings before where I was given the chance and I haven't made the most of it, so to make the most of it is probably the most pleasing thing, to be not out with Patty at the end is something I am really proud of,” he said in the post-match presentation.
