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 hitch title-holders England, 1996 champions Pakistan and 1992 winners Sri Lanka as yet one more notable Afghanistan scalp at this World Cup. Crucially, nonetheless, recalled all-rounder Maxwell was dropped quickly afterwards on 33 when Mujeeb Ur Rahman by some means floored a easy likelihood at quick advantageous leg off fellow spinner Noor Ahmad.

“It might’ve been good if it was chanceless, I’ve lived a really charmed life on the market,” mentioned Maxwell, appropriately nicknamed ‘The Huge Present’. 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 fashion with practically three overs to spare when he slammed Mujeeb for an additional 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 event 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 yet one more 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.

However following on-field therapy a still-struggling Maxwell continued to pulverise Afghanistan’s assault with a stunning array of photographs.

‘I really feel surprising’

“Horrific, I really feel surprising. It was fairly sizzling once we had been fielding, I have not executed a complete lot of excessive depth train within the warmth. It received a maintain of me in the present day, I used to be fortunate to stay it out till the tip,” mentioned Maxwell.

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

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

It had appeared the night time 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 profitable rating to win a World Cup match of 287 in opposition to New Zealand in a 1996 quarter-final in Chennai

However opener Travis Head fell for a duck, caught behind off an excellent 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 wanting 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 gang roared Afghanistan on.

However then got here Maxwell’s huge reprieve, with Australia 112-7. “Actually upset. Cricket is a humorous recreation, it was unbelievable,” mentioned Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi.

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

Australia initially saved Afghanistan in verify 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, nonetheless, accelerated after going to 3 figures with Rashid making a dashing 35 not out throughout a quickfire unbroken stand of 58.