Australia’s Glenn Maxwell produced one of the best ODI knocks of all time in a run chase against Afghanistan during the 2023 ODI World Cup fixture at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 7. The right-hander went on to smash his maiden double ton and became the first batter to score a double hundred while chasing in the ODI format, despite suffering a hamstring injury during his knock as Australia won the match by 3 wickets chasing a target of 292 runs.
Australia and Afghanistan were set to lock horns during the ODI World Cup in 2023. Coming after defeating big teams like England and Pakistan, Afghanistan were among the top contenders to qualify for the semi-final and also gave a hard time to the previous five-time champions Australia. Batting first, Afghanistan posted 291/5 with Ibrahim Zadran top scoring with 129*(143) runs. Chasing the winning target, Australia had a disastrous start as they went on to lose seven wickets for just 91 runs.
Glenn Maxwell produced one of the greatest comebacks for Australia after 91/7
The strong looking Australian batting line up completely surrendered in front of Afghan bowlers as Kangaroos were reduced to 91/7 while chasing 292 runs. For Afghanistan, Rashind Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Azmatullah Omarzai scalped 2-2 wickets each. Glenn Maxwell was last known batter standing as the skipper Pat Cummins joined with Australia still needing 201 runs to win with just three wickets in hand. At the start of his innings, Maxwell got two lifelines as a couple of his catches were dropped by the fielders. The right-hander kept scoring runs with Cummins focusing on saving his wicket from the other end.
During his knock, Glenn also suffered a stretch on his knee and fell onto the ground in pain. Now, he wasn’t able to take quick singles and doubles and focuses on smashing fours and sixes just by standing still at the crease. With five runs remaining from the last 20 balls, Maxwell smashed a six off Mujeeb ur Rehman as Australia scripted one of the greatest comebacks in the ODI World Cup. Maxwell remained unbeaten on 201 runs off 128 balls smashing 21 fours and 10 sixes. Pat Cummins also played a helping hand with 12*(68) runs and assured no fall of the wicket from the other end.
