The Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was impressive during the match against Afghanistan and was named as the Player of the match.
Glenn Maxwell on the victory against Afghanistan
Australia is scheduled to play against Afghanistan in the World Cup 2023 on November 07, at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Winning the toss, Afghanistan chose to bat where Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran opened the innings while Starc opened the bowling attack. Gurbaz was dismissed by Hazlewood for 21 runs while the other opener Ibrahim Zadran smashed 129* runs and helped the side to reach the score.
Maxwell dismissed Rahmat for 30 runs while Shahidi was sent out by 26 runs. Nabi scored 12 runs and with Rashid Khan’s 35 runs, Afghanistan scored 291 runs losing five wickets in 50 overs.
With a target of 292 runs, David Warner and Travis Head opened the innings while Mujeeb Ur Rahman opened the bowling attack. The Australian top order was collapsed by Afghanistan’s fierce bowling attack as Travis Head was sent out on a duck by Naveen-ul-Haq.
David Warner was sent out with 18 runs by Azmatullah. Mitchell Marsh scored 24 runs while Marnus Labuschagne scored 14 runs. With the dismissal of Josh Inglis by Azmatullah, Australia is down to 5 wickets for 69 runs on the 15th over.
But with the help of Glenn Maxwell, Australia was able to get back into the competition. Glenn Maxwell single-handedly scored a double century and helped the side to win the competition.
Rashid Khan dismissed Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Starc for 6 and 3 runs respectively. With Pat Cummins’ 12 runs, Australia scored 293 runs on the 47th over with three wickets in hand.
Glenn Maxwell was named as the Player of the Match. While speaking on the post match conference he said, “It was hot while fielding today, I haven’t done a lot of exercise in the heat, it got a hold on me today.
I wanted to stay back and get some movement (on my legs). Not too much (when asked about plans at 92/7), just stick to the batting plans as much as possible, for me, still be positive, still look to play my shots, that LBW, it was going just above (the stumps), probably that made me be more proactive.
A hint of swing and nip (off the surface), as it happens here under lights, they bowled beautifully to exploit that. It would have been nice if it was a chanceless knock, but I had my chances, to make the most of it tonight was something I can be proud of.
Amazing, after the first two games, people were quick to write us off. The belief was always there (as a team), after today, it would have gone a bit higher,” he concluded.
With six wins in the ICC World Cup 2023, Australia will be playing their next match against Bangladesh on November 11 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
