Glenn Maxwell‘s gorgeous 201 not out guided Australia into the semi-finals of the World Cup because the five-time champions snatched a sensational three-wicket victory from the jaws of defeat in opposition to Afghanistan in Mumbai on Tuesday. At 91-7, chasing 292, Australia had been all set to affix title-holders England, 1996 champions Pakistan and 1992 winners Sri Lanka as one more notable Afghanistan scalp at this World Cup. Crucially, nevertheless, recalled all-rounder Maxwell was dropped quickly afterwards on 33 when Mujeeb Ur Rahman in some way floored a easy likelihood at brief effective leg off fellow spinner Noor Ahmad.

“It would’ve been nice if it was chanceless, I’ve lived a very charmed life out there,” stated Maxwell, appropriately nicknamed ‘The Big Show’. He made Afghanistan pay with an astounding 128-ball innings that includes 21 fours and 10 sixes as he turned simply the third batsman after New Zealand’s Martin Guptill and West Indies’ Chris Gayle to attain a World Cup double century.

Maxwell ended the match in type with practically three overs to spare when he slammed Mujeeb for one more six. The 35-year-old’s highest one-day worldwide rating was simply his fourth century in 136 matches at this stage, however second of the match after he scored the quickest hundred in males’s World Cup historical past, off simply 40 balls, in opposition to the Netherlands.

Australia captain Pat Cummins was 12 not out however performed his half by holding agency in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 202. There was another twist late on in a dramatic encounter when Maxwell, on 146, suffered a violent assault of cramp as he hobbled by way of for a single.

But following on-field remedy a still-struggling Maxwell continued to pulverise Afghanistan’s assault with a blinding array of photographs.

‘I really feel stunning’

“Horrific, I feel shocking. It was quite hot when we were fielding, I haven’t done a whole lot of high intensity exercise in the heat. It got a hold of me today, I was lucky to stick it out until the end,” stated Maxwell.

His repertoire of photographs included a unprecedented reverse hit for six off paceman Azmatullah Omarzai — earlier denied a hat-trick by Maxwell.

Afghanistan, regardless of this defeat, stay in last-four rivalry however they might want to beat second-placed South Africa and hope different outcomes go their method to qualify for the knockout section.

It had appeared the evening would belong to Ibrahim Zadran, whose 129 not out in a complete of 291-5 was the primary hundred by an Afghanistan batsman at a World Cup. That left Australia needing to raised their earlier highest successful rating to win a World Cup match of 287 in opposition to New Zealand in a 1996 quarter-final in Chennai

But opener Travis Head fell for a duck, caught behind off an outstanding Naveen-ul-Haq supply that seamed away sharply, with the paceman additionally having Mitchell Marsh lbw for twenty-four.

Australia’s 43-2 then turned 49-4 as Omarzai struck with successive deliveries, clear bowling veteran opener David Warner following the left-hander’s ugly heave throughout the road earlier than Josh Inglis edged to first slip.

Maxwell survived the hat-trick, nicking in need of wicketkeeper Ikram Alikhil. Australia had been 69-5 when a mix-up with Maxwell noticed Marnus Labuschagne run out by Rahmat Shah‘s direct hit from midwicket earlier than leg-spinner Rashid Khan eliminated Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Starc as the group roared Afghanistan on.

But then got here Maxwell’s massive reprieve, with Australia 112-7. “Really disappointed. Cricket is a funny game, it was unbelievable,” stated Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Earlier, opener Zadran took Afghanistan to their highest World Cup whole as they topped their 288 they made in opposition to the West Indies at Headingley in 2019.

Australia initially stored Afghanistan in examine after dropping the toss, albeit they struggled for wickets with Zadran finishing his fifth hundred in 27 ODIs, off 131 balls, together with seven fours.

Zadran, nevertheless, accelerated after going to 3 figures with Rashid making a dashing 35 not out throughout a quickfire unbroken stand of 58.