In a thrilling rain-shortened T20I at the Gabba, Glenn Maxwell unleashed an incredible performance against Pakistan, turning the seven-over game into a spectacle of power-hitting. Right from his first ball, Maxwell showed his intent, pulling out his trademark reverse sweep against Naseem Shah in the second over. But the real showstopper was his audacious six off Shaheen Afridi—a shot that left both fans and commentators in awe.
Shaheen Afridi bowled a short-of-a-length delivery, but Maxwell perfectly timed a reverse sweep, sending the ball sailing over third man for six, a shot few could have executed with such precision and confidence.
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Australia’s openers, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short, couldn’t make an impact, so Maxwell stepped up to anchor the innings with an explosive knock. He smashed his way to 43 off just 19 balls, lacing his innings with five boundaries and three towering sixes. His rapid scoring provided Australia the momentum they needed before Abbas Afridi finally managed to dismiss him.
#Australia‘s #GlennMaxwell was on🔝form against #Pakistan in the 1st T20I! 🔥
Each shot to the boundary line was just amazing to witness! 🤩
📺 Catch the action #AUSvPAKonStar 👉 #Australia 🆚 #Pakistan 2nd T20I, SAT, NOV 16, at 1:30 PM only on Star Sports 1 HD! pic.twitter.com/b2OIsB4hiB
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 14, 2024
All-rounder Marcus Stoinis chipped in with an important cameo, hitting a quick-fire 21 off just seven balls. Together, Maxwell and Stoinis powered Australia to a competitive total of 93 runs in their limited seven overs, leaving Pakistan with a challenging target.
Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain Maxwell and Stoinis, despite taking wickets at intervals. Naseem Shah, who had a tough time, conceded 37 runs in his two overs, while Shaheen Afridi gave away 25 runs, reflecting their struggles against Maxwell’s aggressive onslaught.
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Heading into the next game, Pakistan will need a more proactive approach. Their recent struggles with aggressive batting have been evident, and for Pakistan to stay competitive, senior players will need to take charge and put up strong performances under pressure.
