In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, Glenn Maxwell delivered a truly exceptional one-day innings that will be etched in cricket history. The Australian all-rounder, battling severe cramps and adversity, crafted an unforgettable 201 not out off 128 balls to lead his team to a miraculous three-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Match 39 of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup, securing Australia's spot in the semifinals. The dramatic showdown took place at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
Australia's pursuit of Afghanistan's formidable score of 291/5 appeared to be spiraling into disaster as they tumbled to a precarious 91/7 in the 19th over. Afghanistan's innings had been anchored by Ibrahim Zadran, who notched up his country's first-ever World Cup century with an impressive 129 not out from 143 deliveries. Adding to the challenge was Rashid Khan's quickfire 35 from just 18 balls.
However, the narrative of the game took an incredible turn when Glenn Maxwell, alongside captain Pat Cummins, embarked on an astonishing partnership for the 8th wicket. They stitched together an incredible 202-run stand off 170 deliveries, with Maxwell contributing a staggering 179 runs, while Cummins remained undefeated on 12 from 68 balls.
Maxwell's innings was nothing short of sensational, particularly considering Australia's dire situation at 91/7. He had been involved in the run-out of Marnus Labuschagne and was barely able to move within the crease. When Australia needed 21 runs from the last four overs, Maxwell launched an explosive assault, smashing 22 runs from just four deliveries in the 47th over.
This partnership between Maxwell and Cummins marked an all-time record for Australia for the 8th wicket, far surpassing the previous best of 119 runs set by Paul Reiffel and Shane Warne against South Africa in 1993-94. Furthermore, this stand became the third double-century partnership in the history of World Cups and the very first on Indian soil.
Maxwell's herculean effort culminated in an undefeated 201 from 128 balls, featuring a staggering 21 boundaries and 10 towering sixes. This remarkable inning propelled Australia to 12 points from eight matches, securing their place in the semifinals as the third-placed team.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, was left to rue their missed opportunities, as they dropped crucial catches of Maxwell and also had an LBW decision go against them during his knock.
Australia's early struggles were apparent, with the team slumping to 87/6 in the 15th over. Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai made early inroads, accounting for two wickets each, while Rashid Khan posed a constant threat, claiming two scalps.
Maxwell's resilience was on full display as he survived an LBW chance upon review and benefited from two dropped catches when he was on 27 and 33, both missed by Mujeeb Ur Rahman. His fortuitous escape was a testament to his extraordinary century-making abilities.
Maxwell and Cummins gradually resurrected Australia's innings, forging a crucial 100-run partnership for the 8th wicket off 89 deliveries. During this stand, Maxwell contributed 86 runs, while Cummins chipped in with just six runs, aided by eight extras. When they reached 199/7 in the 34th over, Australia's chances appeared brighter.
With 47 runs required from 42 balls, Maxwell unleashed a ferocious assault on Azmatullah, pummeling 16 runs off an over, including two magnificent fours and a spectacular six. This onslaught continued as Maxwell dispatched Naveen-ul-Haq for a six in the following over, making the required target a manageable 26 runs from 30 balls.
Australia's prospects had seemed bleak early on, with the team languishing at 52/4 during the first powerplay. However, Maxwell's extraordinary effort, coupled with his partnership with Cummins, transformed the situation dramatically.
Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, and Josh Inglis had fallen in quick succession, with Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai exploiting the favorable seam conditions. Australia's struggles were compounded when Marnus Labuschagne was run out in a mix-up with Maxwell, reducing the team to 69/5.
Maxwell's audacious strokeplay in the 16th over, with back-to-back fours against Mujeeb Ur Rahman, ignited a flicker of hope. Marcus Stoinis briefly contributed with a boundary before falling to Rashid Khan's clever googly, leaving Australia in dire straits at 87/6.
Maxwell's transformation into a dominant force was evident as he reached his fifty off 51 balls and then raced to the next fifty in just 25 deliveries, ultimately completing his century in 76 balls. Australia reached the 200-run mark in the 35th over and appeared to be on the cusp of a remarkable victory.
Maxwell continued to unleash his fury, dispatching Mujeeb Ur Rahman for consecutive sixes in the 29th over and gaining a stranglehold on the match. As the team crossed the 150-run mark, Maxwell's aggression was on full display, launching beautiful sixes off successive deliveries.
Before Maxwell's heroics, Afghanistan had posted a challenging total of 291/5 in their 50 overs, anchored by Ibrahim Zadran's brilliant century. Zadran formed crucial partnerships throughout the innings, including an 83-run stand with Rahmat Shah, a 52-run partnership with Hashmatullah Shahidi, and an explosive 58-run partnership with Rashid Khan in the final stages.
Zadran's unbeaten 129 from 143 balls marked his fifth century in ODIs and a historic moment for Afghanistan, as it was the first-ever triple-figure score by an Afghan player in the World Cup. Afghanistan initially struggled to gain momentum, managing only 46/1 in the first powerplay.
At the midway mark, they were 122/2, scoring at a rate of 4.88 runs per over. However, they unleashed a late onslaught, amassing 96 runs in the last ten overs to post a competitive total.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah began the innings, with Zadran completing his fifty in 62 deliveries. The batsmen mainly focused on accumulating singles and occasionally hitting boundaries against a disciplined Australian bowling attack.
Glenn Maxwell's magical knock, however, took center stage and ultimately overshadowed Afghanistan's early efforts. Despite the late flourish from Rashid Khan, the total they set proved insufficient as Australia, led by Maxwell, pulled off an extraordinary victory from the jaws of defeat.
This captivating contest will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary comebacks in cricket history, with Glenn Maxwell's exceptional innings taking the spotlight as he guided Australia to a sensational victory and secured their place in the World Cup semifinals.
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