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ODI world cup 2023 ODI World Cup 2023

'Big show has done it!' - Fans erupt as Glenn Maxwell sends Australia into semi-final of 2023 World Cup with breathtaking double hundred vs Afghanistan

Glenn Maxwell was awarded Player of the Match for his blistering knock of 128-ball 201.

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Mathew K
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Glenn Maxwell (Source: Twitter)

Glenn Maxwell (Source: Twitter)

Glenn Maxwell defeated Afghanistan to send Australia into the semi-finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup! Maxwell added his name to the list of the greatest warriors in history with a sensational knock that the cricket world has ever witnessed. Australia had to mount their highest-ever successful chase and it took some kind of astonishing Maxwell magic to pull off the incredible win. 

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Words are not enough to describe Maxi's innings. Chasing a highly competitive target of 292 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, where the surface historically assists the fielding team in the second innings, Australia struggled to find the rhythm. It will be hard to explain to future generations that Australia managed to chase it down after being 91/7 at one stage. 

Naveen-ul-Haq provided early breakthroughs with the wickets of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh. Azmatullah Omarzai was introduced into the attack and he dismissed David Warner and Josh Inglis in successive deliveries. At 18.3 overs, Australia lost seven wickets and the Afghanistan camp already started celebrations. But Maxwell had some other plans as the all-rounder decided to fight singlehandedly till the end.

He came in when the team almost lost the game, he was down in pain, struggling to run between the wickets. But his never-give-up mentality made us witness one of the greatest knocks in the history of ODI cricket. Maxwell scored most of his runs through boundaries and finished off the game with a maximum in the 47th over and completed a quick-fire double century (128-ball 201). Pat Cummins was the unsung hero as the Aussie skipper gave the much-needed support by scoring just 12 off 68 balls. 

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Earlier after winning the toss, Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran gave a steady start for the team. Zadran scripted history as he became the first Afghanistan player to hit a century in the ODI World Cup. His unbeaten 129 off 143 balls took his team to 291-5. Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai's quick-fire cameos in the end also proved crucial. 

Here's how fans reacted to Australia's win over Afghanistan:

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Australia Afghanistan Glenn Maxwell featured ODI World Cup 2023