Australia became the 3rd team to qualify for the semi-finals of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 with a stunning 3-wicket win over Afghanistan that took place in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 7th November 2023.
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and decided to bat first. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran got off to a great start with attacking shots that put Australian bowlers under pressure. Josh Hazlewood dismissed Gurbaz providing a simple catch to Starc. Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran added 38 runs for the opening wicket.
Ibrahim Zadran showed intent keeping the scoreboard ticking along with Rahmat Shah. Both batters looked well set not allowing them to settle. Rahmat Shah got out providing an easy catch to Hazlewood at long-off. Shah and Ibrahim Zadran added 83 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Hashmatullah Shahidi and Ibrahim struggled against disciplined Australian bowling. Mitchell Starc provided much much-needed breakthrough dismissing Shahidi with a yorker. Shahidi and Ibrahim added 52 runs for the 3rd wicket. Zadran kept taking singles rotating the strike while Omarzai hit some lovely shots keeping pressure on Aussies bowling. Adam Zampa struck getting rid of Omarzai with a simple catch. Omarzai and Ibrahim Zadran added 37 runs for the 4th wicket.
Ibrahim Zadran became the first Afghanistan batter to reach a century in World Cup history. After his century, Zadran and Rashid Khan upped the ante with some lusty hitting putting on an unbeaten 58-run partnership for the 6th wicket. At the end of 50 overs, Afghanistan posted 291 for 5 in 50 overs.
Chasing 292 runs to win, Travis Head could not get a start as he was dismissed by Naveen UL Haq. Mitchell Marsh showed intent along with David Warner putting some lovely shots before Naveen got rid of Mitchell Marsh. Mitchell Marsh and Warner added 39 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Omarzai got wickets of David Warner and Josh Inglis off successive deliveries to leave Australia in deep trouble. Australia scored 52 for 4 at the end of the first 10 overs.
After the field restrictions, Australia lost the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne, Marcus Stoinis, and Mithcell Starc to leave them in deep trouble at 91 for 7. Glenn Maxwell was given out by the umpire but on review, it was overturned to not out as it was above the stumps. Mujeeb Ur Rahman dropped a sitter at short fine leg.
Maxwell then took the charge with some lusty hitting that kept the Afghanistan bowlers under pressure. Glenn completed his fifty off 51 deliveries and struggled with cramps. It was a sensational innings by Maxwell keeping the pressure on Afghanistan’s bowling. Pat Cummins gave great support as Glenn hit some big shots.
Maxwell completed century off 76 balls and looked completely drenched with cramps. He then hammered the Afghanistan bowling not allowing them to settle. His batting looked out of this world smashing them to all parts of the ground dealing in sixes. Maxwell completed a double century with six off 128 deliveries and helped Australia register a stunning 3-wicket win.
Maxwell and Pat Cummins added an unbeaten 202-run partnership for the 8th wicket. Australia won the match by 3 wickets with 19 balls to spare. Cummins contributed just 12 runs with 68 deliveries.
After losing the first two matches against India and South Africa, Australia has been on red-hot form winning 6 successive matches in a row against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand, Netherlands, England, and Afghanistan.
With this win, Australia confirmed their place in the semi-finals and would play South Africa. Australia will play the final league match against Bangladesh while South Africa will face Afghanistan.
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