In a thrilling ICC World Cup match held at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on November 7th, Australia faced a challenging target of 292 runs set by Afghanistan. The situation grew tense as Australia lost seven wickets in rapid succession. However, in a remarkable turn of events, Glenn Maxwell emerged as the hero of the day with an unbeaten double century, guiding Australia to a remarkable 3-wicket victory.

Australia's innings got off to a rocky start with the early departures of key batsmen like Travis Head, David Warner, and Mitchell Marsh. The Afghanistan bowlers were relentless, further claiming wickets of Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Starc in quick succession. The pressure was mounting on Australia.

But amid the chaos, Glenn Maxwell showcased unwavering determination and incredible skill. Despite dealing with a leg sprain, he kept the run-rate ticking by consistently finding the boundary and dispatching sixes. His astonishing double century, achieved in just 128 balls, included an impressive twenty-one boundaries and ten massive sixes, making him the first Australian to achieve such a milestone in an ODI.

Maxwell's resilience was complemented by the cautious yet vital support of skipper Pat Cummins. Cummins, with only 12 runs to his name, held his end, ensuring no further wickets fell into Afghanistan's hands.

In the 47th over, with Australia needing 21 runs from just 4 overs, Maxwell decided to seize the moment. He unleashed a barrage of consecutive colossal sixes, securing a sensational victory for Australia. This incredible display not only secured Australia's win but also marked Maxwell's own double century.

Naveen-ul-Haq, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Rashid Khan stood out for Afghanistan, each claiming two crucial wickets. Glenn Maxwell's stellar performance earned him the well-deserved title of 'Player of the Match.'

With this crucial win, Australia now boasts 12 points from 8 matches and a Net Run Rate of (+)0.398, positioning themselves in third place, just behind India and South Africa. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, after this loss, slipped to the sixth position with 8 points and a Net Run Rate of (-)0.338 in the tournament. The match will be remembered as a thrilling contest with Glenn Maxwell's unforgettable double century at its heart.

Picture Credits - Hindustan Times