Denying Afghanistan the biggest WC shock ever, Maxwell smashes a memorable double century and executes a Kapil Dev

You never really win a game until you bowl the final ball. And especially with one of the cruelest teams in World Cup history facing you. On what appeared to be a quiet Tuesday night, Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium erupted into an incredible display of cricket. First, the bowlers from Afghanistan dismissed Australia to 7 down, putting them on the verge of the biggest upset in the history of the tournament. Next, Glenn Maxwell produced a knock that was evocative of Kapil Dev’s famous 175* from the 1983 World Cup, pulling off one of the most unbelievable heists with the greatest World Cup performance ever.

Despite nearly being out for the opening ball of the match and struggling to complete the knock because of cramps, Maxwell never gave up. The five-time world champions orchestrated a three-wicket victory as Maxwell, on one foot, battled through to score an unbeaten 201. Maxwell is the first Australian to score a double century in ODI cricket and the third batter to accomplish the feat in a World Cup match. This innings defied logic and tested the limits of human capabilities.

Following victories over Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands, Australia stormed into the semifinals, joining India and South Africa. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, who had been on a winning streak, would now face a formidable challenge for the fourth and last knockout spot.

Encouraged by the great Sachin Tendulkar’s motivational speech the night before the match, Afghanistan’s 21-year-old Zadran made cricket history by being the first player to get a century in the World Cup, which was enough to propel the team to a respectable 291 for 5.

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In just his 26th ODI match, Zadran—who only made his ODI debut around four years ago—anchored the batting with an undefeated 129 off 143 balls, earning his fifth century. The batsman demonstrated exceptional temperament and fitness throughout the innings, demonstrating why his skipper had chosen to bat first. He hit eight boundaries and three sixes in his 143-ball performance, which was the highest score ever recorded by an Afghanistani batter in a World Cup competition. Throughout the innings, he was part of several partnerships, the most significant of which was an 83-run partnership with Rahmat Shah for the second wicket.

It appeared that Afghanistan couldn’t maximize their batting despite Zadran’s efforts, but that was all before Rashid Khan entered the game in the 46th over. Afghanistan managed 65 runs in the last five overs thanks to him, who hit a six and four against Glenn Maxwell in the next over and then dismissed Mitchell Starc for 16 runs in the last over.

Australia’s worst nightmare

Australia was given an extraordinary job to ensure a spot in the semifinals. At the Wankhede, a score of greater than 280 has never been effectively pursued. And Tuesday night, it appeared to still be the case.

Travis Head edged a length ball that was angling in from round the wicket, allowing Naveen-ul-Haq to strike with his very first ball. He dismissed the powerful Mitchell Marsh in his third over, using the new ball, with a delivery that brought back memories of when he dismissed Jos Buttler in that memorable victory against England. Marsh, like Buttler, was undone by the angle and Naveen’s ability to get the ball to nip back in towards the stumps. He ran outside of the crease and landed it well outside off. The ball impacted the batter’s rear pad in line with the stumps, preventing a connection.

Afghanistan appeared to be without Fazalhaq Farooqi when the ball was swinging at the Wankhede, but Azmatullah Omarzai, who is arguably the country’s third-best fast bowler, stepped up to the plate. He was bowled out for 14 runs in his opening over, but he came back with a maiden over against David Warner, then dismissed Josh Inglis and Warner in consecutive deliveries.

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Australia were 4 down and on the back foot, desperately needing a partnership from their final pair of specialist hitters. And just when it looked like the Australians’ situation couldn’t get any worse, Marnus Labuschagne’s careless run out put them down five. Shortly after, Rashid Khan took out Marcus Stoinis and Starc in consecutive overs. It was a lucky dismissal because the replay revealed that the ball had really flicked the off-stump to the keeper rather than hitting the bat.

Maxwell performs a Kapil Dev

As Starc made his way back to the pavilion, the win prediction fell below 9%. Afghanistan had already narrowly avoided a historic victory, and Australia was about to suffer a shock defeat. However, Maxwell had other ideas after surviving a hat-trick delivery from Azmatullah with his opening ball. Maxwell put up a brave fight in a stand with skipper Pat Cummins, playing the aggressor role as he smashed four boundaries and reached fifty runs in 51 deliveries. He then quickly reached a century in just 25 deliveries, adding three more boundaries and as many sixes.

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Maxwell was not rattled by the Afghanistan attack, which had caused mayhem for the top-order, but the humid Mumbai circumstances proved to be too much for the Australian, as he was trudging through the 22 yards for a single at one point before collapsing and spraining his leg. After making his way from the dressing room down the stairs, Adam Zampa, No. 10, was ordered back.

Even though he was still barely able to walk on one foot, Maxwell realized that he only needed to use his two hands to get Australia through. Therefore, Maxwell proceeded with little footwork, reaching the 150-run milestone in 28 additional deliveries before hitting three consecutive sixes and a four against Mujeeb Ur Rahman to assist Australia in finishing the most successful chase in ODI history at the Wankhede.