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Glenn Maxwell's outstanding knock (Source: AFP Photos)
Cricket can be poetic, but it also demands courage carved from pain and belief. Glenn Maxwell’s outstanding heroics against Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup remind the world of that fact.
In a group stage clash of the marquee tournament, Afghanistan met Australia, and the cricket world experienced a pure thriller. As the Afghan side marked early dominance, Maxwell’s grit flipped the script.
With that unbeaten double ton, he dragged Australia from the edge of defeat to a miraculous win. Let’s relive the magic.
Afghanistan’s firepower puts Australia on the back foot early
Despite being a late bloomer, Afghanistan’s rapid rise in world cricket is a classic tale of courage. They’ve produced many memorable performances over the years, yet in the grand arena of the 2023 World Cup, they pushed the mighty Australians to the brink, marking one of the most thrilling matches of ODI World Cup history.
After challenging the mighty Aussies with a 292-run target, the drama ignited in the second innings. Coming to open the innings with David Warner, Travis Head walked away on a duck, and the Afghans tightened their grip. In the sixth over, Naveen-ul-Haq dismissed Mitchell Marsh for 24 runs.
In the ninth over, Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed David Warner and Josh Inglis in successive deliveries. In front of the Afghan bowling attack, the mighty Aussies failed to make an impact as they were standing on the brink of defeat, losing seven wickets in just 91 runs.
From the brink of defeat, Maxwell inspires a miracle
Australia has long been one of cricket’s most formidable forces, especially on the World Cup stage, where its legacy speaks for itself. After they had an early collapse in the match, the Afghan side was already smelling victory, but few realized that the Australians were far from finished.
Cricket has always set some examples of unusual brilliance, and on that day, Glenn Maxwell arrived as a dash of miracle for the Aussies. Coming to bat at the crucial time, he defied all the odds and tore apart the Afghan pace unit. Completing a half-century, he smashed an outstanding ton and kept swinging his bat high.
After getting two lifelines, Maxwell used all the opportunities to the fullest. Despite battling with deadly cramps, the Aussie all-rounder set his eyes on the victory. In just 128 balls, he surged to a breathtaking double century, leaving the cricket world stunned.
In a remarkable unbeaten innings of 201 runs in 128 deliveries, Maxwell smashed 21 boundaries and 10 sixes and secured Australia’s semifinal berth with an incredible victory. On that day, the iconic Wankhede Stadium witnessed the Aussie firepower as they proved why they are called the world champions. Afghanistan had been only moments away from a historic victory, but Maxwell’s sheer determination turned the script on its head, delivering one of the most thrilling ODI triumphs ever written.
