"What An Absolute Lie": Wasim Akram's Unique Praise For "One Man" Glenn Maxwell

09.11.2023 - 07:37 sports.ndtv.com

Glenn Maxwell smashed an epic match-winning double century as Australia survived a scare to beat Afghanistan by three wickets in their Cricket World Cup match on Tuesday.

With his team reeling at 91/7 in a 293 run-chase, Maxwell, riddled with severe cramps, stitched an unbeaten 202-run stand with captain Pat Cummins (12 off 68) to help Australia qualify for the semi-finals.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram reserved special praise for Maxwell, saying that the star batter proved the "one guy can't win you a game" theory completely wrong. "One man show, stuff of legends.

There is a saying, one guy can't win you a game and obviously what an absolute lie. You have to have heart, to keep on playing despite having cramps.

cricket Australia Cricket Team World Cup 2023 Pat Cummins Glenn Maxwell Wasim Akram Ibrahim Zadran Australia Afghanistan Pakistan

It was Glenn Maxwell show yet again at an Indian cricket ground. This time the venue was the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati and Indian cricket team was at the receiving end. India posted a huge 223-run target for Australia. While the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals, they stayed in chase with Glenn Maxwell playing the lead role. The Australia star scored 104* off just 48 balls, with eight fours and eight sixes. But what he did in the last over by Prasidh Krishna is going to be remembered for a long time to come.

'Already Made India World Cup Winner Before Final': Wasim Akram Wants Fans To Accept Their Mistake

Weeks after India's heartbreaking six-wicket loss against Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 final in Ahmedabad, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram blamed the 'Men in Blue' fans for presenting them as the winners of the prestigious tournament before the host country played the last game. While speaking on Star Sports, Akram accepted the fact that it was tough for the people of the host nation that the Men in Blue could not lift the World Cup since they were outstanding throughout the tournament.

Wasim Akram, Gautam Gambhir Slam Indians, Pakistanis Celebrating Each Other's Defeats

The Cricket World Cup 2023 brought a rare occasion for fans from India and Pakistan as the two countries squared off against each other on the grandest stage. While Pakistan endured a dismal campaign that saw them crash out in the league stage itself, India were beaten in the final by Australia. Seeing the social media trend where the fans of the two countries celebrate each other's defeats, former cricketers Wasim Akram and Gautam Gambhir have urged people to refrain from getting into such acts, even on the internet.

KL Rahul Did Not Bat With "Do-Or-Die" Mindset: Wasim Akram On Star's Cricket World Cup Final Show

KL Rahul didn't play with a "do-or-die" mindset as he didn't want to expose India's tail-enders, which is probably one of the biggest reasons for host country's World Cup final defeat, feels Pakistan legend Wasim Akram. Batting first, India posted a modest total of 240 in 50 overs and Rahul scored a painstaking 66 off 107 balls with a solitary boundary to his credit. "If I have to pick any particular reason, I suppose the middle order should have played with a ‘do or die' mindset," he told Star Sports.

"You Cannot Solely...": Wasim Akram's Sharp Take On Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's T20I Future

The discussion about the T20I future of two veteran India batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continues to hog limelight. After the end of India's Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign, the topic is getting more attention. It is worth noting that both the batters have not played a T20I for India since the side's 10-wicket defeat at the hands of England in the semi-final of T20 World Cup in November last year. There is not doubt that the Indian cricket team is looking to include as many youngsters in the T20I team as possible but Rohit and Kohli's sublime forms in ODI cricket have kept them in strong contention for the T20 mega event in 2024.

Watch: Glenn Maxwell's Throw Hits Virat Kohli In World Cup Final. Here's What Happened Next

A funny reaction of Virat Kohli from Cricket World Cup 2023 final match is going viral on social media. The Indian star was in the crease when a throw from Maxwell almost hit Kohli on latter's head. The batter showed good reflexes to bring his right hand in the line the ball in time while bending down to save himself. In the follow-up, Maxwell was spotted saying something to Kohli with a smile on his face and the latter brushed shoulders with his Australian opponent in a funny exchange.