Cramped Maxwell produces an all-time nice innings to assist Australia beat Afghanistan in Mumbai.

Australia have reached the semifinals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, courtesy an all-time nice one-day worldwide (ODI) innings from Glenn Maxwell as they beat Afghanistan by three wickets in Mumbai.

Maxwell, closely cramped and struggling to run, scored 201 runs because the five-time world champions produced a shocking turnaround to beat a assured Afghanistan aspect on the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday night.

It was a report run-chase on the stadium in Mumbai and it got here after Australia had been diminished to 91-7 within the nineteenth over, after Afghanistan selected to bat first and posted a complete of 291-5.

Glenn Maxwell produced one of the vital outrageous knocks in ODI historical past 💪#CWC23 | #AUSvAFG pic.twitter.com/rIN8QxDTlm

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) November 7, 2023

‘By no means seen something like this’

“Essentially the most exceptional factor you’ll ever see in cricket,” former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith shouted on commentary as Maxwell hit a six to seal the win for Australia and cross 200 runs for himself.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who has received three World Cup titles, stated Maxwell performed the inning “on no legs.”

“I’ve performed a number of cricket, and I’ve watched a number of cricket, however I’ve by no means seen something like this,” a surprised Ponting stated, including, “It’s one thing you’ll by no means, ever see once more in worldwide cricket.”

When Maxwell got here out to bat for Australia, they 4 wickets down for 49 runs within the ninth over and misplaced three extra for 41 runs over the following 10 overs.

Afghan pacers Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai pegged Australia again with two wickets apiece of their opening spells.

Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan then chipped in with two wickets to ship Australia reeling.

However the 35-year-old Maxwell put up a 202-run partnership with captain Pat Cummins and dragged himself and his workforce over the road with a barrage of fours and sixes.

On the finish of his heroic innings, Maxwell had hit 21 fours and 10 sixes in 128 balls. His companion Cummins solely scored 12 runs off 68 balls within the match-winning partnership.

‘Maxwell didn’t cease’

Earlier, Ibrahim Zadran grew to become the primary Afghanistan participant to attain a century in a Cricket World Cup match as he led them to a complete of 291 runs of their 50 overs.

Zadran’s 143-ball-129 comprised eight fours and three sixes.

Rashid confirmed his all-round skills to hit a fast 35 as Afghanistan closed the innings with a flourish.

Afghanistan had been shocked as a hobbling Maxwell stored hitting boundaries regardless of being unable to run as he suffered from cramps and backache.

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi stated it was an unbelievable outcome for his workforce.

“We had been within the sport, our bowlers began very effectively, however the dropped possibilities harm us and that was the second, and after that, Maxwell didn’t cease. I’ve to provide credit score to him,” he stated after the match.

Shahidi stated his workforce had been bitterly dissatisfied to let the sport slip away.

“We didn’t assume it was going to occur this manner, nevertheless it’s a part of the sport. That’s cricket.”

AfghanAtalan simply could not maintain their nerves and let Australia recuperate from 91/7 to win the sport by 3 wickets. 💔#AfghanAtalan | #CWC23 | #AFGvAUS | #WarzaMaidanGata pic.twitter.com/YLN7VmqQM8

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) November 7, 2023