Glenn Maxwell’s outstanding performance in 201* secures Australia’s remarkable victory and a spot in the World Cup semi-finals.
Ibrahim Zadran achieved a historic milestone as Afghanistan’s inaugural World Cup centurion, yet his exceptional performance ultimately ended in disappointment.
Australia 293 for 7 (Maxwell 201*, Rashid 2-44) beat Afghanistan 291 for 5 (Ibrahim 129*, Rashid 35*, Hazlewood 2-39) by three wickets
Glenn Maxwell Miracle: Australia’s Unbelievable Victory in a World Cup Classic
In a thrilling encounter at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Australia found themselves in a precarious position, with their chances of reaching the World Cup semi-finals hanging by a thread. Chasing a formidable target of 292, they were struggling at 91 for 7. But then came a moment of sheer brilliance, a performance that will be etched in cricketing history forever. Glenn Maxwell, the enigmatic Australian all-rounder, played a superheroic innings, scoring an unbeaten double-century, and against all odds, led his team to a remarkable victory. This was not just a win; it was a triumph of human spirit, and it secured Australia’s place in the World Cup semi-finals.
The Afghanistan innings had set the stage for an enthralling contest. Ibrahim Zadran, a young and fearless Afghan opener, became his nation’s first-ever centurion in World Cup history. With a scorching century to his name, he laid the foundation for Afghanistan’s challenging total. But Australia’s bowlers, led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, managed to put the brakes on Afghanistan’s run flow, restricting them to a score of 291.
Afghanistan’s young guns, Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai, then wreaked havoc on Australia’s top-order. They bowled with remarkable precision, swinging the new ball both ways and constantly posing a threat to the Australian batters. Naveen dismissed Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, and could have sent David Warner back to the pavilion early, had it not been for a missed opportunity in the slips. Warner managed to add 14 runs to his tally before Omarzai delivered a stunning inswinger that shattered his stumps. At this point, Afghanistan seemed poised for an upset.
Omarzai, a 23-year-old with immense potential, showcased his skills by executing a brilliant inswinger to dismiss Warner. Having honed his craft during his stint in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), he proved that he was more than capable of delivering on the international stage. In the very next ball, he induced an edge from Josh Inglis, who was caught at first slip. It was a moment that could have been historic, as Omarzai stood on the brink of a hat-trick. However, Glenn Maxwell denied him that milestone, and what followed was nothing short of extraordinary.
When Maxwell strode in to face Omarzai’s hat-trick ball in the ninth over, Australia’s chase seemed to be faltering at 49 for 4. He was then involved in a mix-up that cost Marnus Labuschagne’s wicket. The game took a dire turn when Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Starc fell quickly, leaving Australia in a desperate position at 91 for 7. The situation looked bleak, and defeat seemed inevitable. But Maxwell, often known for his flair and innovation, showed extraordinary resilience.
Maxwell, despite suffering from cramps in his legs, continued to fight. He batted without moving his feet, relying on pure hand-eye coordination. He began a remarkable partnership with his captain, Pat Cummins, who defended resolutely at the other end. Cummins contributed just 12 runs from 68 balls to the epic 202-run partnership that unfolded. With 21 runs needed from the final four overs for Australia’s victory, Maxwell unleashed his full repertoire of shots.
Against Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Maxwell went 6,6,4,6 to seal the deal with a double century. Mujeeb could have dismissed Maxwell on 33 if he hadn’t dropped a straightforward catch at short fine leg. It was a costly mistake, as Maxwell went on to play in vintage fashion, mowing the ball over midwicket, shanking it over the bowler’s head, and carting it over midwicket with audacious shots. He displayed reverse sweeps and other unconventional strokes, taking his first hundred in 76 balls and the second in just 52. Cummins stood by him like a rock, doing his part by defending and rotating the strike. It was an innings for the ages, a testament to Maxwell’s audacious brilliance.
Maxwell’s unbeaten 201* is not just a high score; it is the highest score ever by a batter at No. 6 or lower in the history of ODIs, a testament to his unparalleled ability to rescue his team from dire situations. This inning also marked the first double-hundred by an Australian in ODI cricket and only the third double-ton in the history of World Cup matches. The unbroken 202-run partnership between Maxwell and Cummins is a record for the eighth wicket or lower in ODI cricket, underlining the extraordinary nature of this feat.
Throughout Maxwell’s incredible innings, there was one Afghan bowler who managed to escape his onslaught, and that was the talented Rashid Khan. Afghanistan had four spinners in their lineup for the match, but it was Naveen and Omarzai who initially caused significant damage to Australia’s chase. They bowled with Test-match lines and lengths, and their ability to swing the new ball both ways made life difficult for the Australian batters. Naveen got rid of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh with his outswingers. Additionally, Rashid Shah dropped a challenging chance at gully, allowing David Warner to continue his innings. However, Omarzai was the star with his outswingers, ultimately dismissing Warner and almost achieving a hat-trick.
Australia’s chase was teetering on the edge, and it was Maxwell’s extraordinary innings that saved the day. Afghanistan’s hopes of an upset were dashed as they were unable to dismiss the Australian all-rounder early. While Afghanistan may have been tempted to chase down the target, Hashmatullah Shahidi, their captain, made a different call. He backed his batters to put runs on the board on a pitch that was slightly atypical for the Wankhede, with a drier surface.
Ibrahim Zadran was the standout performer for Afghanistan, showcasing his fearless approach and resilience. He batted through the innings on a hot afternoon, remaining unbeaten on 129 off 143 balls. The highlight of his innings was a beautifully executed ramp shot off Pat Cummins in the 14th over, a testament to his remarkable skills. In the slog overs, he found a valuable ally in Rashid Khan, who played a blistering innings of 35 off 18 balls. Together, they added 58 runs in a mere 27 balls, lifting Afghanistan’s total to 291.
Afghanistan’s joy was palpable as they left the field, believing they had a competitive total to defend. However, little did they know that Glenn Maxwell’s extraordinary innings awaited them, an innings that would go down in history as one of the all-time greats in ODI cricket.
The thrilling contest between Australia and Afghanistan had it all – high-scoring matches, dramatic collapses, and a heroic innings that defied all odds. Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten double century not only secured Australia’s place in the World Cup semi-finals but also etched his name in the annals of cricketing history. It was a day when a single individual, through sheer determination and skill, turned a seemingly lost cause into a resounding victory.
With this win, Australia joined the likes of India, South Africa, and Afghanistan in the World Cup semi-finals. The cricketing world witnessed a fearless Afghanistan side that played with passion and determination, and they came tantalizingly close to causing a major upset. In the end, it was Glenn Maxwell’s day, and he emerged as the hero of the match and the savior of his team.
The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was witness to a remarkable cricketing spectacle, where the fate of a match swung like a pendulum. It was a testament to the beauty of the sport, where the underdog can challenge the mighty, and an individual’s brilliance can change the course of a game. Australia vs. Afghanistan in the World Cup 2023 will be remembered as a contest that encapsulated the essence of cricket – a game of uncertainty, passion, and moments that leave a lasting impact on everyone who witnessed it.
In conclusion, Glenn Maxwell’s double century in the face of adversity will go down as one of the greatest innings in the history of ODI cricket. Australia’s victory against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup is a story of resilience, determination, and unwavering belief. It was a match that showcased the unpredictability and drama that cricket can deliver, and it will be remembered as a timeless classic in the annals of the sport. As we look forward to the World Cup semi-finals, this incredible performance by Maxwell and his team will remain a source of inspiration for all cricket fans around the world.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
