Wow!! Glenn Maxwell has saved the day for the Aussies who not only steered them home with the win but also able to avoid India when it comes to the semi-final berth, which is expected to be the No.2 Proteas (South Africa) side next Thursday.
They might have lost the toss to Afghanistan who chose to bat first where the Aussies may not have done well as they’d like with the ball while Ibrahim Zadran has punished them downdown (129 not out from 143 balls). Afghanistan wrapped up their fine batting card of 291/5 that sets up a 292 run for the Aussies to chase later on after the innings break. Now again, likewise with the bowling, the Top 5 batters also ended up with a hit and miss so early – especially when there was no Steve Smith due to an illness (vertigo). They were almost on the brink of a shock upset at 91-7 after 18 overs until Glenn Maxwell turned things around big time where he went on to score not just the double hundred but also the win the Aussies deserve by three wickets. Now they’re still in 3rd on the ladder which confirms their semi-final spot and not having to face Team India mid-next week with one group-stage game left v Bangladesh this Saturday whereas the fourth & final spot on the table will be a two-horse race between the Blackcaps (New Zealand) & Pakistan.
Oh so close from Afghanistan who did so well both bat and ball. Hats off to Ibrahim Zadran who batted beautifully without having to get out from start to finish. Plus, we also seen a few bowlers sharing the wickets on hand as well where they almost saw light at the end of the tunnel but only for Maxwell to ruin it towards the end there. It’s been a great campaign so far with one more game to go v Proteas this Friday as they might still have an outside shot of ousting Blackcaps & Pakistan for the 4th and final semi spot but it’s unlikely. Meanwhile, the man of the hour belongs to Glenn Maxwell, who is very established in the white ball game off the willow, alongside team-mate Adam Zampa with spin. Glad he recovered well from that golf cart accident where Maxwell had to sit out the last game v England where he loves & keeps on hitting big all over the place & the Aussies need him the most between now and next week. We hope it’s up to the rest including the seamers & the Opening/Top-order batters to help them out if they bring home the Cricket World Cup trophy real bad if they can prove India wrong in the final at their home turf next Sunday in Ahmedabad.
