Afghanistan seemed poised for a historic triumph against the five-time champions, reducing Australia to 91 for seven wickets while setting them a target of 292.However, they were left in awe as Maxwell launched an extraordinary counter-attack. With the company of captain Pat Cummins, Maxwell guided Australia past Afghanistan’s score of 291 for five wickets with 19 balls to spare.
Despite experiencing cramps after reaching his fourth century in ODIs, Maxwell persevered, minimising running between the wickets to alleviate the discomfort and focusing more on powerful hitting.
Throughout his innings, Maxwell hammered 21 fours and 10 sixes, with many of these shots being executed while favoring one leg due to cramps. His final six not only sealed the victory for Australia but also marked his double century in the match.
Australia vs Afghanistan: Glenn Maxwell’s ‘Superhuman’ innings seals nail-biting victory over Afghanistan for Australia
Maxwell rewrote the plethora of records during the course of his carnage at the Wankhede Stadium:
* Maxwell’s unbeaten 201 is the highest individual score while chasing in ODIs, surpassing Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman’s 193 against South Africa in 2021 but that came in losing cause.
* Maxwell became the first Australian batter to score a double hundred in ODIs. The previous best belonged to Shane Watson who smashed unbeaten 185 against Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2011.
* This is also the highest individual knock from No.6 batter or below in ODIs. Kapil Dev held the previous record with 175 not out against Zimbabwe in 1983 World Cup.
* Maxwell’s knock also features among the highest scores for a non-opener in ODIs. Zimbabwe’s Charles Coventry earlier scored unbeaten 194 against Bangladesh in Bulawayo in 2009.
* Maxwell completed his double hundred in 128 balls – a second fastest in ODIs. Indian batter Ishan Kishan owns the record of scoring fastest double ton (126 balls) against Bangladesh last year.
* This is the third double century in the history of the ODI World Cup. Martin Guptill (237*) and Chris Gayle (215) scored double tons in the 2015 World Cup.
* Maxwell and Pat Cummins 202-run stand is the highest for the 8th wicket in ODIs, breaking the record of 138 between Andrew Hall and Justin Kemp.
* 292 was the highest successful ODI run-chase at Wankhede and the highest ever for Australia in World Cups.
