Australia vs Afghanistan, World Cup 2023: Glenn Maxwell's double century, Ibrahim Zadran's ton and other top moments
Australia vs Afghanistan, World Cup 2023: Glenn Maxwell's double century, Ibrahim Zadran's ton and other top moments
Glenn Maxwell was the talk of the town in Mumbai, and all around the cricketing fraternity on Tuesday as he helped Australia steal a three-wicket win over Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup contest, after almost being on the brink of defeat at one stage.
World Cup 2023: News | Schedule | Results | Points table
Looking to chase down a target of 292 against the Afghans, Australia were reeling at 91/7, but then came up Maxwell with the rescue act to pull off a miraculous run-chase at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
These left thousands of Afghanistan supporters heartbroken, but the contest had it’s fair share of moments. Let’s take a look at some of those:
Glenn Maxwell leads by example
This edition of the Cricket World Cup has witnessed quite a few memorable moments. Be it Virat Kohli’s record-equalling ton, or the Netherlands stunning South Africa.
However, nothing could possibly come close to what Glenn Maxwell did on Tuesday.
Maxwell came into bat at number six following the dismissal of Josh Inglis. Australia were in trouble at 49/4 at that stage.
All hopes were almost lost for the Aussies. Azmastullah Omarzai had just removed David Warner and Inglis in the ninth over. Maxwell was on strike and Azmat was on a hat-trick. While Maxwell would go onto survive the hat-trick ball, he kept losing partners at the other end.
Having a supporting character in Pat Cummins would allow Maxwell bat freely. He would target the midwicket boundary against Noor Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi, playing a range of shots from the slog sweeps to the straight drives.
While Maxwell, who did suffer a cramp during his innings, got to his century off 76 deliveries, he only took 52 balls for his double ton, that was a heave over midwicket off Mujeeb’s ball in the 47th over, eventually sealing Australia the win.
That was a prime example of Maxwell special at the Maximum City.
Ibrahim Zadran’s century
Just a few hours before Australia could turn things around, all eyes were on Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran.
The 21-year-old would go onto register his fifth century in ODIs. This was even more special not just for Ibrahim but the whole of Afghanistan, as he became the first batter from the country to score a century in a World Cup contest.
Ibrahim, opening the innings, got to his fifty in 62 balls, before getting to his century with a more defensive approach, in 131 balls.
Ibrahim later went onto reveal what batting legend Sachin Tendulkar had told him when they met each other, saying that the Master Blaster gave him confidence to do well.
Rashid Khan cameo
Although Ibrahim Zadran stole the limelight in Afghanistan’s batting, Rashid Khan played his bit with the bat, playing a quick cameo of 35 off 18 deliveries.
Rashid came into bat in the 46th over following the dismissal of Mohammad Nabi and went on to forge a 58-run stand with Ibrahim, helping the Afghans reach 291/5 in 50 overs.
Rashid slammed two fours and three sixes during his entertaining knock.
Dream start for Naveen
Naveen-ul-Haq could not have asked for a better start against Australia. Early in the second over, the pacer was up against Travis Head.
Head, however, failed to make an impact on Tuesday. He faced an angling in delivery outside off, and Head, looking for the forward defence, ended up getting an edge outside off the bat towards the hands of the wicketkeeper.
Naveen would go on to dismiss Mitchell Marsh too, eventually finishing with figures of 2/47.
Azmatullah’s magical over
Azmatullah Omarzai had a dream start to the ninth over of Australia’s chase.
In the first ball of the over, he would go onto castle David Warner by dismantling the off-stump. This was an over after Azmat had delivered a maiden to Warner.
The very next ball, Azmat came up with an outswinger to remove Inglis, who got the outside edge en route to Ibrahim Zadran at first slip.
A hat-trick for Azmat, however, was not meant to be, as Glenn Maxwell certainly had other plans.
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