The 39th match of the
ODI World Cup 2023 between Australia and Afghanistan provided cricket fans around the world with an unforgettable and thrilling contest. In enthralling encounter,
Glenn Maxwell emerged as the hero, guiding Australia to victory in a nail-biting encounter. While Afghanistan put up a commendable fight, their dream of securing their first-ever ODI victory over Australia remained unfulfilled in this heart-pounding showdown.
Afghanistan’s gritty performance
Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first, setting the stage for an intense battle. They managed to post a competitive total of 291/5 in their allotted 50 overs. The standout performance in the Afghan innings came from
Ibrahim Zadran, who played a pivotal role in their quest for a historic win with an impressive unbeaten century – 129 runs.
Rahmat Shah also made a valuable contribution, adding 30 runs from 44 balls, while
Rashid Khan showcased his all-round abilities by scoring a rapid 35 runs from just 18 deliveries.
Australia’s Maxwell show
Australia’s chase got off to a rocky start, with early wickets falling rapidly.
Travis Head was dismissed for just four runs, and the situation looked dire for the Aussies. However, it was Maxwell’s time to shine. Maxwell played a breathtaking knock, scoring a magnificent double century that left spectators in awe. His 201 runs came from just 128 balls, featuring twenty one fours and ten sixes – a display of power-hitting at its finest.
Maxwell’s brilliance ignited hope in the Australian camp, and it wasn’t long before the tide began to turn in their favour. With the support of his teammates, Maxwell’s exceptional innings kept Australia in contention.
A thrilling finish
As the match reached its climax, Afghanistan continued to fight valiantly. Rashid,
Naveen ul Haq, and
Azmatullah Omarzai each picked up two crucial wickets, ensuring that the contest remained neck and neck. The tension in the stadium was palpable as the match hung in the balance.
In the end, Maxwell’s brilliance and composure under pressure prevailed. He steered Australia to victory despite struggling with cramps, securing a win in the final moments of the game. Afghanistan’s valiant effort had come close to creating history, but they fell agonizingly short of their first-ever ODI victory against Australia. With the win, Australia also secured a spot in the semi-final.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
A wonderful knock by
@IZadran18 to put Afghanistan in a good position. They started well in the 2nd half and played good cricket for 70 overs but the last 25 overs from
@Gmaxi_32 was more than enough to change their fortune.
From Max pressure to Max performance! This has been…
pic.twitter.com/M1CBulAgKw — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
November 7, 2023
Congratulations
@Gmaxi_32 Clearly the best ODI innings ever. Has always been the most exciting player in the world to watch in my opinion.
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381)
November 7, 2023
Maxwell ???????????????????????????. Never seen something like this before . Unreal . Congratulations
@CricketAus #AUSvAFG — Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh)
November 7, 2023
My goodness Maxi ???
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38)
November 7, 2023
That was special by Maxwell. ?
— Albie Morkel (@albiemorkel)
November 7, 2023
Un-freakin-believable!
#Maxwell pic.twitter.com/sEvoVZvI4S — Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir)
November 7, 2023
The GREATEST ODI innings of all time
@Gmaxi_32 .. You could say the GREATEST innings of all time ..
#CWC2023 #India — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
November 7, 2023
Saw this coming. 200 in a run-chase, One of the all time great one day innings by Maxwell.
@Gmaxi_32 was a man possessed and
great support by
@patcummins30 . An innings to remember for a long long time .
#AUSvsAFG https://t.co/ClOM3NdSJf pic.twitter.com/nQ8uNVh1af — Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
November 7, 2023
Congratulations to Team Australia on an extraordinary victory! Unbelievable innings from
@Gmaxi_32!
#Cwc23 #AUSvAFG — Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074)
November 7, 2023
Holly smokes. Just woke up & checked the results. Missed an unbelievable run chase lead by the beat against spin
@Gmaxi_32. However Cummins 12 off 68 is just as good! I know what I will be doing tomorrow, watching the replay!!!
#CricketWorldCup2023 — Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93)
November 7, 2023
This was a Big show ? Take a bow
@Gmaxi_32 #CWC23 — S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath)
November 7, 2023
Warrior Mentality ?
Physically down but mentally at an all time high! Maxi, you little beast. ?
#PlayBold #AUSvAFG #CWC23 #GlennMaxwell @Gmaxi_32 pic.twitter.com/p6NBrvBCMX — Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets)
November 7, 2023
Simply UNBELIEVABLE
Maxwell has pulled off the biggest heist! ?
pic.twitter.com/qpi2YsHt5S — Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal)
November 7, 2023
Glenn Maxwell reminded us tonight about the intrinsic beauty, unpredictability and inspiring drama of this wonderful game. Thank you????.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi)
November 7, 2023
Massive Massive Massive respect for Maxii. ??
Absolutely unbelievable.
@Gmaxi_32 ?!!!
#ICCMensCricketWorldCup2023 #ICCCricketWorldCup2023 #AUSvAFG — Sandeep Lamichhane (@Sandeep25)
November 7, 2023
It was an honor witnessing this mental & physical genius of
@Gmaxi_32 .
Its one of all time great ODI innings.
#AUSvsAFG — Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph)
November 7, 2023
Got to be one of the greatest ODI innings ever ….
#Maxwell ??????
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7)
November 7, 2023
Some match winning innings are such that you just stand up and applaud. An inning to remember for lifetime by Maxwell ? ?
#AUSvAFG pic.twitter.com/zoCQeztbBE — Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
November 7, 2023
Maxwell is not from this planet
Thats it thats the tweet
— Imad Wasim (@simadwasim)
November 7, 2023
This is easily the best ODI innings I have seen recently take a bow
@Gmaxi_32 — Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive)
November 7, 2023
Maxwell has maxed it. What an innings
#AUSvsAFG congratulations on a stupendous century
@Gmaxi_32 — Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd)
November 7, 2023
Maxwell's place in history just got guaranteed. It has to be the greatest white ball innings played
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
November 7, 2023
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?? @Gmaxi_32 #AUSvAFG pic.twitter.com/gT0BtBBKU2