Glenn Maxwells Double Century Lifts Australia Into World Cup Semifinals

Glenn Maxwell conjured up magic when Australia thought it was all over, striking an astonishing double century to singlehandedly lift his team into the semifinals of the World Cup with a three-wicket win over Afghanistan here on Tuesday.

Mumbai: Glenn Maxwell conjured up magic when Australia thought it was all over, striking an astonishing double century to singlehandedly lift his team into the semifinals of the World Cup with a three-wicket win over Afghanistan here on Tuesday.

Maxwell's Unbelievable Knock

With his unbeaten 201 off 128 balls, which came on the back of some unbelievable hitting, Maxwell forced the thousands of heads totting the stands at the Wankhede Stadium to think if there eyes were deceiving them.

As Australia chased down 292 after slumping to 91 for seven in 18.3 overs and staring at an annihilation, everyone rubbed their eyes in disbelief as Maxwell went about his task batting on leg after battling pain and exhaustion.

Afghanistan's Missed Opportunity

Afghanistan thought they had the match wrapped up, but Maxwell had other ideas. With some slice of luck, he launched into an over-eager Afghan attack, smashing 21 fours and 10 sixes to end the game in 46.5 overs.

With 12 points and a match left, Australia joined India 16 points and South Africa 12 points in the last four stage while 11 incredibly talented Afghanistan cricketers, who had almost ensured that their fairy tale story dont reach its epilogue, found themselves on the wrong side of the result.

Zadran's Ton

Earlier, buoyed by Sachin Tendulkars encouraging words on the eve of the match, 21-year-old Ibrahim Zadran etched his name in Afghanistans cricket history by scoring the countrys first ever World Cup hundred that propelled them to a respectable 291 for 5.

Zadran anchored the innings with an unbeaten 129 off 143 balls as Afghanistan scored 64 in last five overs against five-time champions in a do-or-die game as far as their maiden semi-final appearance is concerned.

Zadran who made his ODI debut just four years ago, produced a terrific knock in a key clash to record his fifth ton in only 26 ODIs.

In the end, it was Maxwell's herculean effort that took Australia over the line and kept their hopes of a sixth World Cup title alive. Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be left to rue their missed opportunity, but they can take heart from the fact that they pushed one of the tournament favorites to the brink.