Afghanistan vs Australia – ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – as it happened

Australia have qualified for the semifinals of the Cricket World Cup, but that barely tells the story of what was an incredible night in Mumbai.

Australia fought back from almost certain defeat to book their place in the knockout stages.

Glenn Maxwell produced one of the greatest ODI innings of all time to see off a spirited Afghanistan side.

There’s plenty more to play for at this World Cup, and if the rest of the tournament can produce even half of the drama that we have seen tonight, then we are in for a treat.

Goodbye!

We’ve been hearing from both captains on the field at the Wankhede Stadium.

First up is Afghanistan’s Hashmatullah Shahidi:

“Cricket is a funny game. It was unbelievable for us.

“We were in the game, our bowlers started very well, but the dropped chances hurt us and that was the moment, and after that, Maxwell doesn’t stop. I can give credit to him.”

He was asked how his team were feeling in the dressing room after seemingly throwing away a huge chance to beat Australia.

“The team will be disappointed tonight. We didn’t think it was going to happen this way, but it’s part of the game. That’s cricket.”

Australia captain Pat Cummins also reflected on the epic innings from Maxwell:

“It’s just ridiculous. I don’t know how you describe that. Maxwell was out of this world.

“It’s got to be the greatest ODI innings that’s ever happened. It’s one of them days you say I was here at this stadium. I feel very lucky to be here.”

The hero of the hour, Glenn Maxwell, has been speaking after the match.

“It’s horrific, I feel shocking! It was hot when we were fielding today and I haven’t done a whole lot of high-intensity exercise in the heat and it got a hold of me today.”

Maxwell rode his luck after being dropped early on but went on to make Afghanistan pay.

“I led a charmed life out there. I was very lucky and made the most of that. To see it out is something I am very proud of”.

There’s no real way to describe that innings from Maxwell. It has to be seen to be believed.

Maxwell scored the highest ever ODI score for an Australian and that only tells half of the story.

After riding his luck, he smashed Afghanistan around before somehow playing through the pain to win the game for his country.

Get that man an ice bath!

An exceptional double ton from an injured Glenn Maxwell helps Australia to a famous victory 🔥@mastercardindia Milestones 🏏#AUSvAFG pic.twitter.com/OavPr2ZRAN

— ICC (@ICC) November 7, 2023

These are crucial overs and Mujeeb is trusted with the ball.

Maxwell wastes no time in getting stuck into him, launching a six over mid-wicket for his eight sixth of the innings.

Next ball and he repeats the same trick! That takes him over 190. An absolutely astonishing innings.

He follows it up with four through cover. And then he hits a six to bring up 200 and win the game for Australia!

I simply cannot comprehend that innings. Unbelievable.

From the most improbable position, Australia have won this game.

Rashid is tasked with trying to find a wicket. He faces Maxwell first ball and the Australian manages to hobble down the pitch for a single.

Rashid then bowls a wide as the pressure tells.

Maxwell appears to be getting slightly more mobility back, managing two singles.

Afghanistan look to be out of ideas. Australia need 21 from 24 balls.

Naveen back with some pace and Maxwell is at it again! Six off the first ball of the over.

Again no footwork at all, he just muscles the ball over long on. I can’t quite believe what I am seeing.

Neither can Naveen, although he nearly has his man after Maxwell swings and misses at a ball that flies just over the top of the stumps.

There’s a big caught and bowled opportunity off the last ball, but it just evades Naveen’s dive. Maxwell manages to limp down the pitch to keep the strike.

Australia need 25 off 30 balls.

“Oh my goodness gracious me,” shouts Ian Smith on commentary as Maxwell somehow finds the energy and ability to hit boundary after boundary.

“He’s somehow he’s finding it in himself to keep going on no legs,” adds Smith as Maxwell defies his physical state to keep Australia going.

Glenn Maxwell just played a reverse sweep over deep third for six…ON ONE LEG! WHAT HAVE I JUST SEEN!!! #AUSvAFG

— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) November 7, 2023

Azmat starts another over against Maxwell and it’s once again four more off the first ball.

It’s streaky for Maxwell, with an inside edge taking the ball through his legs and running away towards fine leg.

Two balls later and there’s nothing streaky about this shot. Maxwell plays a reverse sweep for six over third man. He played that beautifully.

Next up and it’s four more! This time through the leg side. This is simply incredible from Maxwell. He can’t move his feet but it’s no issue. Afghanistan are stunned.

Noor Ahmad continues and tries to find a way to draw Pat Cummins into a mistake.

The Australian captain is in a very difficult position. He can’t score unless he hits a four or a six as Glenn Maxwell simply cannot run.

He hits a few nice shots, but they all go down as dot balls. A total 47 needed from 42 balls.

Azmat back into the attack.

Maxwell is playing on but he cannot run at all. He can only score off fours and sixes. Remarkable.

He then hits a boundary to bring up his 150. What an innings, it really is unbelievable stuff.

He somehow scores another four at the third man boundary, reverse sweeping whilst barely bending over. It’s unorthodox, but it’s working.

“He cannot move, he cannot run at all,” says Ricky Ponting of his compatriot Maxwell.

The former Australia captain thinks “the mood has changed in both camps.”

Zampa is standing by incase Maxwell needs to come off, but for now he will continue. Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott seems annoyed at the length of these stoppages.

Noor continues his over, he knows that Cummins won’t be calling for any singles, given Maxwell’s physical state.

Noor is back in the attack and yet again, it’s a boundary off the first ball of the over.

Maxwell is playing everything with no footwork now, but it’s not impacting his scoring.

He then runs for a single and immediately drops to the floor in absolute agony. The Australian physio runs on to help him. He seems to be cramping up all through his body.

The Afghanistan players use the break to form a huddle and try to find some inspiration.

Naveen is back for his eighth over of the innings. He drags a ball down the leg side and Maxwell easily sweeps the ball away for four.

Two balls later, Maxwell crunches one back down the ground for yet another boundary. He didn’t move his feet at all, that was pure upper-body strength.

This partnership now hits 141, with Cummins contributing just 11. Australia need 60 runs from 60 balls.

Maxwell might be in agony, but it’s not stopping his scoring.

He clubs a six over long on and then immediately hops around in pain. That looked like a bout of cramp.

Rashid then has a chance to bowl at Cummins. The Australian captain plays the spin nicely, he certainly knows how to bat in pressure situations.

Another over of pace from Naveen. It looks like Maxwell has some kind of back issue, he seems to be struggling. He hits a shot through the leg side and immediately twitches in pain.

Cummins continues to anchor things at the other end. He’s hit just 11 off 50 balls.

Naveen tries some slower balls to catch the tailender out, but the captain is keeping his focus – although he goes for a huge swing and a miss off the final ball.

Maxwell is receiving more treatment from the physio, he looks to be in a lot of pain.

Australia are comfortable in terms of run rate, if they keep up this scoring they’ll win. The issue is wickets, particularly if Maxwell falls.

Rashid is back into the attack, Afghanistan are trying everything to find a breakthrough.

He stops the flow of runs with just three off the over. Australia need 78 from 78 balls.

Maxwell is hobbling between the wickets. This doesn’t look good for him.

Nabi ploughs on with another over of spin.

It doesn’t take long for Maxwell to find the rope again, this time scooping a boundary over the top towards short fine leg.

He then dishes out more punishment, creaming a six into the stands through the leg side. A young fan in the crowd takes a brilliant catch!

Eleven more off that over.

Maxwell is receiving some treatment out on the field. He looks to be in some pain, but is soon back on his feet.

After a lengthy period of spin, Naveen returns to the attack for some pace.

Maxwell doesn’t change his strategy and continues on the attack, although Gurbaz does very well in the field to prevent another boundary.

Cummins survives a couple of balls, he’s done very well to hang around; 200 up for Australia now.