Top Performances from Week 3 of World Cup ft. Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell

As the ICC Cricket World Cup goes on full bloom, we have seen a string of sensational displays that has truly changed the course of the tournament. From rip-roaring knocks to swashbuckling spells, we have already seen a major upset where a superpower like England came crumbling down against Afghanistan while the latter also got the better of Pakistan in their following fixture.

With all said and done, these displays will go a long way in defining the rest of the tournament. However, for now, here’s a quick glance at the top performances of Week 3 that left us in awe.

1.    Glenn Maxwell – 106 (44) vs Netherlands

The Show was in the mood with the bat as he took the Netherlands’ bowling unit for a ride with an extravagant showdown that left them in utter disarray. Walking out to bat in the 40th over, Maxi showcased his exemplary hard-hitting, smashing nine fours and eight sixes, eventually finishing with 106 runs from just 44 balls. This was also the fastest century in the history of the ODI World Cup.

2.    Quinton de Kock – 174 (140) vs Bangladesh

The South African opener was in prime touch, hammering away at will against the undercooked bowling unit of Bangladesh. He was in effusive flow as the boundaries were never really stalled and more importantly, he accelerated hard enough to ensure that South Africa continued their menacing form that was too much for Bangladesh to handle. He hammered 15 fours and seven sixes to lead the show for the Proteas.

3.    Ibrahim Zadran 87 (113) and Rahmat Shah 77* (84) against Pakistan

Another upset that defined the course of the ongoing World Cup is where Afghanistan got the better of Pakistan with a sizzling display of their batting firepower. After a sensational start by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who smashed 65, it was a collective showdown by Ibrahim and Rahmat before their skipper, Hashmatullah Shahidi arrived on board to seize a historic victory for the Afghans.

4.    Virat Kohli – 95 (104) and Mohammed Shami – 5/54 vs New Zealand

Virat Kohli was once again in instrumental form as he ravaged the Kiwi bowlers. India had ominous signs clouding over their dressing room when they lost half of their batting order with more than 80 runs to get. However, Virat Kohli’s crucial 95 ensured that India completed the chase successfully after Mohammed Shami’s incredible spell of 5/54, which made him the only Indian to take two 5-wicket hauls in World Cup history.

5.    Heinrich Klaasen – 109 (67) vs England

South Africa’s roar up top continued and this time at the expense of the crestfallen England team, which was left at the receiving end of Heinrich Klaasen’s range-hitting. The wicket-keeper batter led the charge for the Proteas, hammering away at the heart’s content against the English bowlers. He smashed a crucial century that came at a tempestuous pace, thereby burying England six feet under.