CWC 2023, AUS vs AFG: Maxwell's unbelievable double ton catapults Australia into the semis

CWC 2023, Australia vs Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran's 129, Rashid Khan's 35 & 2-44 and Glenn Maxwell's 201 are top performances. Australia beat Afghanistan and qualify for semi-finals.

CWC 2023, Afghanistan vs Australia_ Glenn Maxwell scored 201 runs against Afghanistan _ Walking Wicket (Images_ ©X_Twitter) — Maxwell scored 201 runs against Afghanistan (Images: ©X/Twitter)

Brief scores- Australia 293 for 7 (Maxwell 201*, Rashid 2-44) beat Afghanistan 291 for 5 (Ibrahim 129*, Rashid 35*, Hazlewood 2-39) by three wickets.

Player Of The Match- Glenn Maxwell (201* in 128 balls)

Australia clinched an unexpected victory against Afghanistan in a thrilling match in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium at CWC 2023. At one point, it seemed fans had given up hope with Australia at 91 for 7 in 18.3 overs. However, Glenn Maxwell's extraordinary performance defied expectations and propelled Australia into the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup semi-finals. In contrast, Afghanistan's dream of reaching the semi-finals is fading as they face a daunting task against South Africa, needing a convincing win and relying on other teams' defeats.

Talking Point from Australia vs Afghanistan, Mumbai, CWC 2023

Inadequate fielding by Afghanistan led to their defeat in the match

The Afghanistan team's subpar fielding efforts proved to be the decisive factor in their defeat. The minnows were on the brink of victory, and it could have been a secured win had Mujeeb-ur-Rahman managed to grasp a straightforward catch from the man of the match, Glenn Maxwell. Rashid Khan's spin had bamboozled Maxwell when the Australian batsman was 33, resulting in a mistimed shot. The catch sailed to Mujeeb at short, fine leg, but regrettably, he dropped the easy chance that could have sealed Afghanistan's triumph.

Before Mujeeb's missed opportunity, another chance slipped through Afghanistan's fingers when Rashid and Shahidi nearly collided, failing to take a catch that could have sent Maxwell packing. Even in the 45th over, if Naveen-ul-Haq had executed a spectacular catch, Afghanistan might have had a chance to stage a comeback and secure a victory.

Additionally, misfielding incidents by Afghan players dampened team morale. For instance, Rashid made a casual attempt to stop the ball in his last over but was unsuccessful, allowing Maxwell to take a single. These lapses in fielding ultimately proved costly and contributed significantly to Afghanistan's loss.

Top three performances from Afghanistan vs Australia game in CWC 2023

CWC 2023, Afghanistan vs Australia_ Glenn Maxwell scored 201 off 128 balls against Afghanistan _ Walking Wicket (Images_ ©ICC_Twitter) — Maxwell took Aus home with his 201 off 128 balls (Images: ©ICC/Twitter)

Glenn Maxwell's impressive performance with a double century

The Aussie batter made headlines with a breathtaking performance that left the cricket world in awe. His remarkable double-century paved the way for Australia's victory over Afghanistan in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. Despite battling cramps, Glenn Maxwell displayed unparalleled resilience as he played a pivotal role in Australia's recovery from a dire situation, with the team struggling at 91/7 during their pursuit of 292 runs. In a heroic solo effort, Maxwell propelled Australia beyond the 200-run mark.

Maxwell etched his name in the record books by becoming the first Australian cricketer to score a double-century in ODIs, surpassing Shane Watson's previous record of an unbeaten 185* against Bangladesh in 2011. Maxwell also stands alone as the first player to achieve a double-century in ODI cricket while chasing a target.

Maxwell's spectacular unbeaten 201 off 128 deliveries, embellished with 21 fours and 10 towering sixes, is now the highest individual score in an ODI run-chase. He eclipsed the previous record held by Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman, who had scored 193 against South Africa in 2021. Additionally, Maxwell's achievement is even more extraordinary as it holds the record for the highest individual score in a World Cup run-chase, previously held by England's Andrew Strauss at 158 against India in 2011.

CWC 2023, Afghanistan vs Australia_ Rashid Khan scored 35 and took 2 wicket against Australia _ Walking Wicket (Images_ ©ACBofficials_Twitter) — CW Khan scored 35 and took 2 wicket against Australia (Images: ©ACBofficials/Twitter)

Rashid Khan's position as a gifted all-rounder

As always, Rashid Khan impressed with his remarkable skills as an all-rounder, excelling in both batting and bowling. The leg-spinner played a vital role during the latter stages of the match. In the 46th over, Hazlewood dismissed Mohammad Nabi, leaving Afghanistan at 233/5. Nevertheless, Rashid displayed exceptional batting performance, propelling Afghanistan's total beyond 290. He remained unbeaten with a blazing 35 off 18 deliveries, featuring two boundaries and three towering sixes.

Rashid, in the final over bowled by Mitchell Starc, hammered two of those sixes and a four. In addition to his batting heroics, Rashid initially troubled the Australian batters with the ball until Maxwell's brilliant innings turned the tide. The Afghanistan leggie limited Australia to 44 runs in his 10-over spell and secured two crucial wickets, including those of Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Starc.

CWC 2023, Afghanistan vs Australia_ Ibrahim Zadran scored 129 runs against Australia _ Walking Wicket (Images_ ©ACBofficials_Twitter) — Zadran scored 129 runs against Australia (Images: ©ACBofficials/Twitter)

Ibrahim Zadran’s stellar 129 impresses yet again

Afghanistan's batting sensation, Ibrahim Zadran, continues to impress with his stellar performance in the ongoing World Cup. In the crucial match against Australia, the 21-year-old showcased remarkable composure by smashing a well-deserved century. This remarkable feat made him the first Afghan batter to achieve a World Cup century.

After Rahmanullah Gurbaz's early departure, Zadran stepped up to the crease, forming an 83-run partnership with Rahmat Shah. Their steadfast presence in the middle-thwarted Australia's attempts to make further inroads for the next 15 overs. Zadran's century arrived in the 44th, achieved through 131 balls of determination.

This historic achievement elevated him to the highest individual run-scorer for his nation in the tournament, surpassing Samiullah Shinwari's previous record of 96 runs. Remarkably, Zadran and Shinwari are the only Afghan batters to attain 90-plus scores in the World Cup, with Zadran securing the third spot with 87 in World Cup 2023.

Statistical Highlights From Australia vs Afghanistan, Mumbai, CWC 2023

Glenn Maxwell’s knock of an unbeaten 201 became the fastest ODI double-century in the ODI World Cup and the second-fastest overall ODI.
The double century was the first to come in a chase in ODIs.
Maxwell’s innings registered the highest innings in a winning chase in the ODI World Cup.
The partnership between Maxwell and Pat Cummins is the highest for the 8th wicket for Australia in the ODI World Cup.
Glenn Maxwell now stands third in the number of sixes in the ODI World Cup with 43 total sixes.
Afghanistan registered their highest team total (291/5) in ODI World Cup.
The Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran scored the first century and, consequentially, the highest individual score for the team in the ODI World Cup.
The partnership between Zadran and Rahmat, which had 83 runs, was the highest for the 2nd wicket for Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Points Table

Points Table Scenario & What’s Next

Australia will play against the weak-performing Bangladesh on Saturday with no pressure, as the team has already qualified for the semi-finals with a comprehensive win over Afghanistan.

Afghanistan will lock horns with South Africa on Friday and will hope for a miracle, as only that can bring them into the semi-finals from here.