CWC23 Match 39: Maxwell's Big Show scripts an unreal win for Australia over Afghanistan

Australia produced another sensational performance in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 as they defeated Afghanistan by three wickets. 

Match Summary

Australia vs Afghanistan, ICC Cricket World Cup

Australia 293/7 (46.5 ov)

Afghanistan 291/5 (50 ov)

Result - Australia won by 3 wickets

SCORECARD

The Pat Cummins-led side won their sixth game of the tournament at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and reached the semi-final. Opting to bat first, Afghanistan managed 291 for five. Australia lost quick wickets but Glenn Maxwell took them home.

Afghanistan was off to a decent start as Rahmaullah Gurbaz (21:25b, 2x4) and Ibrahim Zadran (129 not out: 143b, 8x4, 3x6) added 38 runs for the opening stand. After the keeper-batter was back in the hut, Rahmat Shah (30:44b, 1x4), Hashmatullah Shahidi (26:43b, 2x4) and Azmatullah Omarzai (22:18b 1x4, 2x6) stitched vital partnerships with Ibrahim. The opening batter carried his bat through. In the end, apart from him, Rashid Khan (35 not out:18b, 2x4, 3x6) played a brutal cameo that powered Afghanistan to 291 runs. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood (two for 39) was the pick of the bowlers.

Australia were off a torrid start with the bat as they lost wickets in no time. They were reduced to 91 for seven with all the desired batters back in the hut. Mitchell Marsh (24:11b, 2x4, 2x6) and David Warner (18:29b, 3x4) tried to be optimistic but the bowlers were right on the money. With Australia struggling to get going, Glenn Maxwell stepped up big time for his team and slammed a magnificent double century. He made a mockery of Afghanistan bowlers as he smashed them all over the park despite battling severe cramps in his legs. He scored an unbeaten 201 off 128 balls with the help of 21 boundaries and ten sixes to win the game for his team.

Match Stats

Afghanistan Fall of wickets: 1-38 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz - 7.6 ov), 2-121 (Rahmat Shah - 24.4 ov), 3-173 (Hashmatullah Shahidi - 37.2 ov), 4-210 (Azmatullah Omarzai - 42.3 ov), 5-233 (Mohammad Nabi - 45.3 ov)

Australia Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Travis Head - 1.2 ov), 2-43 (Mitchell Marsh - 5.4 ov), 3-49 (David Warner - 8.1 ov), 4-49 (Josh Inglis - 8.2 ov), 5-69 (Marnus Labuschagne - 14.1 ov), 6-87 (Marcus Stoinis - 16.4 ov), 7-91 (Mitchell Starc - 18.3 ov)

Playing XI

AUSTRALIA - Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(WK), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins(C), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

AFGHANISTAN - Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil(WK), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad

Match Details

Date - 2023-11-07 08:30:00

Venue - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Toss - Afghanistan elected to bat

Umpires - Alex Wharf (England), Michael Gough (England), Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand TV)