In a breathtaking turn of events, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell unleashed an astounding unbeaten 201-run onslaught against Afghanistan, securing a spot for his team in the 2023 Cricket World Cup semi-finals. The cricketing world is still abuzz with Maxwell’s electrifying performance at Wankhede Stadium.

Virat Kohli, who shares the cricket field with Maxwell as teammates at Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, took to social media to express his awe at Maxwell’s phenomenal knock. Kohli, acknowledging Maxwell’s extraordinary talents, wrote,

“Only you could do this, freak @gmaxi_32,”

in an Instagram story.

Maxwell himself was not immune to the overwhelming response, taking to Twitter to express his gratitude:

“Pretty overwhelmed with all the Thank you so much to everyone that has sent messages. @patcummins30 was amazing out there! Sorry I knocked back a couple Time to get back to dad duties,” Maxwell wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

While Maxwell’s performance was outstanding, he did have a couple of close calls, notably when Afghan fielders, particularly Mujeeb ur Rahman, dropped him before he reached a half-century. Maxwell acknowledged that a flawless innings would have been ideal but expressed his pride in making the most of the opportunity.

“While fielding today, the scorching heat took me by surprise. I hadn’t acclimated to such conditions, and it got the better of me. I felt the need to pause and get my legs moving again. When asked about our plans at 92/7, I didn’t change much; I aimed to adhere to our batting strategies, maintain a positive mindset, and continue playing my shots. The LBW decision was a close call, with the ball just grazing above the stumps, prompting me to become more proactive. There was a subtle hint of swing and nip off the surface, particularly under the evening lights, and our opponents bowled brilliantly to exploit those conditions. While it would have been ideal for my innings to be without a blemish, I did have a couple of chances. Nevertheless, I take pride in capitalizing on those opportunities tonight. It’s truly amazing how, after the first two games, people were quick to write us off. However, our team’s unwavering belief was always intact, and today’s performance has elevated that belief even higher,”

Maxwell shared during the post-match presentation ceremony.

The Pakistani cricket team are getting ready for their sixth encounter at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 against their neighbours in Afghanistan. With two victories and two losses in their previous four matches, the Pakistan vs. Afghanistan rivalry has a history of intense battles. Cricket icon Shoaib Akhtar anticipates another fiercely contested game, one that may ignite tempers on the field. Yet he believes this match transcends the cricket pitch, shaping up to be a contest for Pakistan against not only Afghanistan but also the fervent crowd and the playing conditions.

In a Twitter video, Akhtar issued a stern warning to Babar Azam’s squad, cautioning against underestimating Afghanistan. This will not be a one-sided competition, he claims.

“It’s more than just #PAKvsAFG. It’s Pakistan against the crowd. It’s Pakistan against the groundsmen. We are faced with a challenging battle that lies ahead. Afghanistan is not a pushover; they are a formidable team,” Akhtar emphasized in the video caption.

He describes this as a pivotal and high-stakes match, known for its potential to stir emotions and ignite rivalries. Akhtar is emphatic that Afghanistan is far from being an underdog in this encounter. He dispels the notion of “upset” and underscores that Afghanistan is a team on par with Pakistan. With their formidable spin-bowling arsenal, they pose a genuine threat to the Pakistani side. Akhtar emphasizes that Pakistan cannot afford to lose to Afghanistan or any other team in this competition.

Akhtar’s analysis suggests that the Chepauk pitches are likely to favor Afghanistan’s spinners significantly. Furthermore, the passionate crowd is expected to rally behind Afghanistan.

“Factors that favor Afghanistan include enthusiastic crowd support and favorable pitch conditions, particularly for spinners. Whether it’s day or night, the spinning track will work in their favor,” Akhtar opines.

The context of the World Cup journey adds to the intrigue. Pakistan secured victories in their first two matches but faced defeats against India and Australia in subsequent games. Meanwhile, Afghanistan managed to upset the defending champions, England, but encountered losses against India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh.

Fans can expect a hotly contested duel that will have them on the tip of their seats as both sides fight for their lives in the tournament.