Glenn Maxwell has fought through cramps to smash an unbeaten 201 off 128 balls, single-handedly guiding Australia to an improbable three-wicket win over Afghanistan in a World Cup match and sealing the team's spot in the semi-finals.
Afghanistan appeared assured of a famous victory against five-time champions Australia at the floodlit Wankhede Stadium, reducing them to 91/7, after setting them a victory target of 292.
The Afghans then watched in disbelief, as Maxwell launched an extraordinary counterattack. With captain Pat Cummins for company, Maxwell took Australia past Afghanistan's total of 291 for five wickets, with 19 balls to spare.
The righthanded batsman suffered cramps, after going past his fourth hundred in the 50-over format, but laboured on, cutting down on running between the wickets to manage the pain and relying more on big hits.
In total, Maxwell hit 21 fours and 10 sixes during his knock - many of them on one leg - with the last six bringing up victory and also his double century. Cummins remained unbeaten on 12 from 68 balls, but more importantly added 202 for the unbroken eighth-wicket partnership.
Afghanistan held numerous meetings on the ground, but were unable to find a way to dislodge Maxwell, who was dropped on 33 by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, off Noor Ahmad's bowling.
Maxwell was also adjudged out leg before wicket in the same over against Noor, but the batsman managed to successfully overturn the umpire's decision on appeal.
Afghanistan seamers Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai struck early blows with the ball to reduce Australia to 49/4, after opening batsman Ibrahim Zadran's maiden World Cup hundred helped Afghanistan post a competitive total.
With Steve Smith missing from the side, due to a bout of vertigo, Australia did not seem to have the batting depth to chase down the target and Rashid Khan's two quick strikes seemed to all but seal the match in Afghanistan's favour.
The victory takes Australia to 12 points, as they become the third team to reach the semi-finals, behind India and South Africa.
Zadran, 21, anchored the Afghan innings earlier with an unbeaten 129 from 143 balls, after the South Asian side won the toss and elected to bat. His fifth hundred in the 50-overs format was studded with eight fours and three sixes.
All-rounder Rashid smashed an unbeaten 35 off 18 balls, with three sixes and two fours, to provide Afghanistan with some quick runs towards the end.
Afghanistan remain in a threeway tie with New Zealand and Pakistan for the final semi-final spot, but currently trail their rivals on net run rate, with one round remaining.
The Blackcaps face Sri Lanka on Thursday, Afghanistan take on South Africa on Friday, while Pakistan wrap up their group scheduled against deposed champions England on Saturday.
Reuters
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