Australia’s swashbuckling batter Glenn Maxwell has taken the cricketing world by storm with his breathtaking double century against Afghanistan in a World Cup 2023 match at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday (November 7).
Chasing 292 to win, the Aussies were in dire straits at 91 for 7 before Maxwell produced an unbeaten knock of 201 off 128 balls to take his team over the finishing line with three wickets in hand and 19 deliveries to spare.
During his herculean innings, Maxwell stitched an unbroken 202-run partnership with Pat Cummins in which the Australian captain contributed only 12 not out off 68 balls.
Maxwell pulled off this heist despite battling cramps and back spasm. In fact, he stopped taking singles and doubles at one stage because of severe pain and started dealing in boundaries to return with 21 fours and 10 sixes.
Glenn Maxwell’s herculean knock drew him praise from the Pakistan pace legend Wasim Akram.
“Unbelievable, one-man show. The stuff of legends. There is a saying that one guy can’t win you a game, but what an absolute lie. Maxwell showed one man can indeed win a game for his team,” Akram said on A Sports.
“There was a need for willpower and he showed that. He was suffering from cramps, and cricketers can tell you how cramps can be painful, but he stood there and battled it out,” he added.
Maxwell was ably supported by Pat Cummins, who scored only 12 not out off 68 balls and Wasim Akram was full of praise for the Australian captain.
“Credit to Pat Cummins for situational awareness and giving Maxwell the strike,” Wasim said.
“Maxwell showed he is the best one-day player in the player by smashing 201 off 128. I have played cricket for 20 years and working on it for the same time, but I have never seen such a fighting knock,” he further remarked.
Former Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, who was part of the discussion on A Sports, highlighted Maxwell’s sheer strength which was on display at the Wankhede Stadium.
“His range of shots was terrific to watch, and due to his cramps, he used his hands to good effect, and by that, we can gauge his hand speed, power and connection of shots,” Misbah said.
With this victory, Australia qualified for the World Cup 2023 semi-final with one league match to spare.
