Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell surpassed New Zealand’s Kane Williamson on Sunday to become the 10th-highest run-scorer in T20I cricket. Maxwell achieved this milestone during Australia’s ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights match against Afghanistan at Kingstown.
In a run chase of 149, Maxwell scored a commendable 59 runs off 41 balls, including six fours and three sixes, at a strike rate of 143.90. Despite his efforts, he lacked sufficient support from his teammates, leading to Australia’s defeat.
In the tournament, Maxwell has accumulated 112 runs in six matches, averaging 28.00 with a strike rate of 138.27, including one half-century. His overall T20I record now stands at 2,580 runs in 112 matches, averaging 30.00 with a strike rate of 154.67, featuring five centuries and 11 fifties, with a top score of 145*.
Kane Williamson, on the other hand, has scored 2,575 runs at an average of 33.44 and a strike rate of 123.08, with 18 half-centuries and a highest score of 95.
The leading run-scorers in T20I cricket are Pakistan’s Babar Azam (4,145 runs in 123 matches, averaging 41.03, with three centuries and 36 fifties, best score 122), Virat Kohli (4,103 runs in 122 matches, averaging 49.43, with a strike rate of 137.54, one century and 37 fifties, best score 122*), and India’s Rohit Sharma (4,073 runs in 156 matches, averaging 31.57, with a strike rate of 139.58, five centuries and 30 half-centuries).
In the match, Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first. An opening stand of 118 runs between Rahmanullah Gurbaz (60 off 49 balls) and Ibrahim Zadran (51 off 48 balls) gave Afghanistan a strong start. Tight bowling from Australia, including a hat trick by Pat Cummins (3/28) and a fine spell from Adam Zampa (2/28), restricted Afghanistan to 148/6 in 20 overs.
Australia’s chase faltered at 32/3 due to a fine spell by Naveen ul Haq (3/20). Maxwell’s valiant 59 couldn’t prevent Australia from being bowled out for 127 in 19.2 overs, marking their first-ever loss to Afghanistan in international cricket. Gulbadin Naib, with figures of 4/20, earned the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his crucial wickets, including those of Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, and Cummins.
Afghanistan now sits third in Group 1 with a win and a loss, while Australia is second with the same record. Both teams have two points each. If India wins their final Super Eights game against Australia on Monday and Afghanistan defeats Bangladesh by a significant margin, Australia, the current 50-over and Test champions, would be eliminated from the T20 World Cup.