Australia vs Afghanistan, World Cup 2023: Awards List, Man of The Match, Key Stats, Presentation Ceremony

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Australia recorded a monumental victory over Afghanistan in the ICC World Cup 2023 Match 38 on Tuesday (November 7) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The Aussies won the match by 3 wickets in sublime fashion and thus have qualified for the semifinals.

It was a pulsating match in Mumbai, which witnessed a never seen before heroics from Australia's Glenn Maxwell, who played a herculean knock.

Australia vs Afghanistan: As it Happened

Afghanistan posted 291 runs after Hashmatullah Shahidi opted to bat first. Ibrahim Zadran scored a brilliant century and thus became the first Afghan to score a hundred in the World Cup.

Australia were reduced to 91 for 7 at one stage while chasing. But as they were staring down the barrel, Glenn Maxwell stood up and played perhaps one of the greatest innings in the history of the game. Maxwell scored an unbeaten 201 off just 128 balls, all of that while carrying a vicious pain which significantly reduced his mobility. Maxwell and Pat Cummins stitched an unbeaten 202-run partnership and handed Austalia a huge victory.

Australia vs Afghanistan World Cup 2023: Awards List

Player of the Match: Glenn Maxwell was awarded as Player of the Match for his brilliant batting performance. He also picked up one wicket with the ball.

Glenn Maxwell Comments

'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).

(on Aus being 91/7 at one stage) Not too much, 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.'

Australia vs Afghanistan: What Captains Said

Pat Cummins (Australia captain): Ridiculous. Don't know how to describe it. Great win! It has got to be the greatest thing that has ever happened. One of those days people will say yeah, I was at the stadium for this game. He (Maxwell) was great, he was calm. He always had a plan. Even from 200 behind to be able to win the game that way, it was really special. (On whether Maxwell wanted to walk off) We had two NSW players lining up, Zampa was on and off three times, but Maxi wanted to stay out there. It is important to remember you can win from anywhere. Real belief in the team and we are in the semi-finals now, that's great. (On what they could do better) Don't think it is the time and the place, I'm going to pause that. I think the toss is a bit tricky out here, the first 20 overs are key. Obviously there are things we could have done better.

Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan Captain): Very disappointed. Cricket is a funny game, it was unbelievable for us. We were in the game, our bowlers started very well and the dropped chances hurt us. After that, Maxwell doesn't stop, he played every kind of shot and I can give credit to him. I think the dropped catches were the key, after that Maxwell played really well. Our bowlers tried their best but he didn't give any chance to us. Proud of the team, but we will be disappointed tonight. We didn't think it would be this way, part of the game. This is cricket. We will try to come back strong against South Africa. He (Ibrahim Zadran) must be proud of himself, I am also proud that he is the first Afghan with a WC hundred.

Australia vs Afghanistan WC 2023: Key Stats

• Glenn Maxwell's 201 is the highest score by an Australian in an ODI match. This is also the highest score in the ODIs by a non-opener.
  
  
• The partnership of 202 between Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins is the highest partnership for the 7th wicket or below.
  
  
• Glenn Maxwell now has 43 sixes in World Cups and is now 3rd on the list. Only India captain Rohit Sharma (45) and Chris Gayle (49) are ahead in the list.
  
  
• Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran became the first Afghan player to score a century in the World Cup. He scored 129 runs off 143 balls.