Australia vs Afghanistan, World Cup highlights: Maxwell's record-breaking 201* seals semis berth for Australia

Glenn Maxwell slammed a stunning double century to help Australia enter the World Cup semi-finals with a 3-wicket win over Afghanistan.

Australia vs Afghanistan highlights, Cricket World Cup 2023: Staging an epic fightback for Australia, superstar Glenn Maxwell slammed a record-breaking double-century to seal a famous win for Pat Cummins and Co. at Mumbai. 'Big Show' Maxwell rescued Australia after Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai sparked a shocking batting collapse of the five-time winners at the famous Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Maxwell remained unbeaten on 201 off 128 balls while skipper Cummins chipped in with a small cameo of 12 off 68 balls to help Australia upstage the World Cup giant killers. Australia have become the third team after India and South Africa to enter the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup. Player of the Match Maxwell smashed the highest individual score in an ODI run-chase. Maxwell's 201* is also the third-highest individual score in the history of the World Cup.

Earlier, pacer Naveen removed explosive batter Travis Head for 0(2) and shortly after trapping Mitchel Marsh LBW for 24(11) as Afghanistan managed to keep things under control. Joining forces with the on-song pacer, Omarzai then got rid of David Warner and Josh Inglis in consecutive deliveries as Australia were reduced to 49/4 in 8.2 overs.

Batting first in the recently concluded encounter, Ibrahim Zadran led the Afghanistan fight and helped them pile a stiff 291/5 on the board batting first. Zadran, who walked in to open the innings, returned unbeaten on 129(143), making him the first Afghanistan cricketer to slam a century in ODI World Cups. Apart from Zadran, Rashid Khan chipped in with an 18-ball 35*.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Zadran gave Afghanistan a decent start after they won the toss and opted to bat. The duo added 38 for the opening stand before Josh Hazlewood got rid of Gurbaz for 21(25). Zadran and Rahmat Shah then added 83 runs for the third wicket before Maxwell broke the stand. Shah fell for 30(44), and shortly after Mitchell Starc cleaned up Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi for 26(43). Adam Zampa then provided Australia with another inroad in the 43rd over. Azmatullah Omarzai was caught by Glenn Maxwell for 22(18). Hazlewood then removed Mohammad Nabi for 12(10).

Superstar Steve Smith was not a part of the Aussie playing XI and Cameron Green too was not included. Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell walked in as replacements for Smith and Green. Afghanistan made one change, bringing in Naveen-ul-Haq in place of Fazalhaq Farooqi. A win for Australia has taken them to 12 points and ensured a semifinal berth at the World Cup. Before meeting the giant killers, Australia defeated traditional rivals England by 33 runs in its last encounter.

AUS vs AFG, World Cup 2023: Key updates

- Glenn Maxwell's unbelievable 201-run knock sealed Australia's three-wicket win over Afghanistan.

- Fighting back spasms and cramps, Maxwell slammed his first-ever ODI double-century to stun the cricket fraternity.

- Maxwell slammed his second century of the World Cup 2023 to help Australia reach 186-7 in 33 overs.

- Maxwell earlier struck a crucial half-century off 51 balls to keep Australia in the hunt.

- Rashid Khan bagged crucial wickets of Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Starc as Australia were reduced to 91-7 in 18.3 overs.

-Afghanistan reduced Australia to 49/4 in 8.2 overs.

-Zadran returned unbeaten on 129(143), making him the first Afghanistan cricketer to hit a ton in ODI World Cup.

-Zadran and Rahmat Shah added 83-run for second wicket. Maxwell removes Rahmat for 30(44)

-Ibrahim Zadran hit 50 in 62 balls.

-Afghanistan accumulated 46/1 in the first powerplay.

-Afghanistan only made one change in the playing XI.

- No Steve Smith in the playing XI as Australia made two changes.

-Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat at Wankhede Stadium.