The Afghanistan cricket team has certainly become a force to reckon with as they have created some upsets in this ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 which is being played in India. The Afghanistan cricket team defeated teams of England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka which are considered superior to them and yesterday it would have created one more upset by defeating Australia if Glenn Maxwell had not shown resilience and determination against the Afghani bowlers.
Afghanistan chose to bat first in the match which was played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai and posted a competitive total of 291/5 on the scoreboard with the help of the brilliant knock of Ibrahim Zadran (129 runs not out, 143 balls, 8 fours & 3 sixes).
The Afghani bowlers were also much disciplined and they troubled the Aussie batters a lot. There was a time when everyone was sure that Afghanistan would win the match as the Aussies had lost their 7 batters at the score of 91 by the 19th over. But nobody had an idea that Glenn Maxwell would go on to play one of the greatest innings of ODI cricket by scoring 201 runs not out for which he played only 128 balls and his innings included 21 fours and 10 sixes.
What makes this knock more special is the fact that Glenn Maxwell was suffering from pain as he was having cramps and wasn’t able to run during his innings. Glenn Maxwell got good support from the skipper Pat Cummins as they both stitched a partnership of 202 runs and ensured that their team loses neither any other wicket nor the match.
Pat Cummins scored 12 runs for which he played 68 deliveries and it won’t be wrong to say that he played an important role in frustrating the Afghanistan bowlers.
The social media platforms were flooded with reactions after this sensational victory of Australia and here are some selected reactions:
Saw this coming. 200 in a run-chase, One of the all time great one day innings by Maxwell. @Gmaxi_32 was a man possessed and
great support by @patcummins30 . An innings to remember for a long long time . #AUSvsAFG https://t.co/ClOM3NdSJf pic.twitter.com/nQ8uNVh1af— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 7, 2023
When Glenn Maxwell laid down due to cramps, almost the entire Wankhede cheered 'MAXWELL', hoping he could get up and finish the game.
And he did it ❤️ #AUSvAFG #AUSvsAFG pic.twitter.com/TNNyRcXrKl
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) November 7, 2023
Maxwell 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. Never seen something like this before . Unreal . Congratulations @CricketAus #AUSvAFG
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 7, 2023
Maxwell ✨🔥💥 @Gmaxi_32
Greatest ODI Innings ever?#AUSvsAFG #Maxwell #CWC2023INDIA pic.twitter.com/q6lUWKwIiY— Ikaist (@TheIkaist) November 7, 2023
Massive Massive Massive respect for Maxii. 🫡🙇♂️ Absolutely unbelievable. @Gmaxi_32 💚!!! #ICCMensCricketWorldCup2023 #ICCCricketWorldCup2023 #AUSvAFG
— Sandeep Lamichhane (@Sandeep25) November 7, 2023
This was a Big show 👌 Take a bow @Gmaxi_32 #CWC23
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) November 7, 2023
That’s a remarkable innings @Gmaxi_32 😧👏🏾
— Tymal Mills (@tmills15) November 7, 2023
Got to be one of the greatest ODI innings ever ….#Maxwell 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) November 7, 2023
What a show @Gmaxi_32
🔥🔥🔥— Abdul Samad (@RealAbsamad) November 7, 2023
THE.GREATEST.INNINGS.EVER. #AUSvsAFG #Maxwell phewwwww….
— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) November 7, 2023
Last night we saw an event that’s never happened before in 146 years! Tonight this!
Maxwell!!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 7, 2023
https://twitter.com/SaraTendulkar__/status/1721935677993173285
It was an honor witnessing this mental & physical genius of @Gmaxi_32 .
Its one of all time great ODI innings. #AUSvsAFG— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) November 7, 2023
With this win, Australia has made it to the semi-finals and now New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan will have to fight for the fourth spot.
Glenn Maxwell was the Player of the Match which was quite obvious. Did you watch the thrilling match?