Image Credit- Getty
Australia was 91 for 7 chasing 292 at one time. Glenn
Maxwell then They won the match and guaranteed their spot in the World Cup
semi-finals as Glenn Maxwelled his way to a double-century.
Following Ibrahim Zadran’s World Cup century,
Australia’s top order was thoroughly embarrassed by Naveen-ul-Haq and
Azmatullah Omarzai, who looked set to write history at the Wankhede. To change
the course of events, Maxwell came in with a stunning 201 not out, 179 of which
came from an uninterrupted 202-run partnership with his captain Pat Cummins.
Afghanistan was devastated by the outcome, which sealed Australia’s spot in the
last four along with those of the hosts, India, and South Africa.
There were other things that became increasingly tense
as the chase neared its conclusion. After bowling for 50 overs in the
sweltering Mumbai heat, Maxwell started to get severe cramps. His legs did it.
They had just ceased operations. In the 41st over, he appeared to be in
excruciating pain, forcing Adam Zampa, the next batter, to wait beyond the
boundary as the physio treated him in order to keep him going.
And he set out. Maxwell continued to clobber sixes
while batting, without lifting his feet, until he brought home the Australian
miracle. In just 128 balls, 201 unbeaten runs with 21 fours and 10 sixes were
scored. It was among the greatest ODI innings ever.
When Australia was 49 for 4 in need of 292 in the
ninth over, Maxwell had come in to take on Omarzai’s hat-trick ball. After
that, he got into a confusion that cost Australia Marnus Labuschagne’s wicket
at number 14. The game appeared to be over when Mitchell Starc and Marcus
Stoinis collapsed shortly after, leaving Australia at 91 for 7. However, it
wasn’t. Maxwell persisted, and Cummins clung to him like a limpet, making just
12 runs (off 68 balls) in tandem with him for a double century.
In the last four overs, Maxwell reached his double
century and Australia’s victory needed just 21 runs. He went 6,6,4,6 against
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to deliver the double coup de grâce.