Wasim Akram the excaptain of Pakistan has lent his support to Glenn Maxwells prospective contributions to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during the IPL 2024 playoffs. Akram highlighted Glenn Maxwell prowess in pivotal matches underscoring his reputation as a performer under pressure. Moreover Akram emphasized the competitive spirit synonymous with Australian cricketers.
The iconic allrounder evoked memories of Glenn Maxwell magnificent double century in the ODI World Cup a moment where his sheer brilliance singlehandedly led Australia to victory over Afghanistan.
Glenn Maxwell struck 16 runs off five balls against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), helping them set a 200-plus target in their previous league encounter. However, the right-hander has only scored 52 runs in nine matches, with an average of 6.50. With the ball, he has six wickets and an economy rate of 8.06.
Akram explained on Sportskeeda’s ‘Match Ki Baat’:
“High risk, high reward. Glenn Maxwell will single-handedly win a knockout match for RCB. You have to stay calm with him in the dressing room. I know it’s frustrating. It must be frustrating for him as well.
“I know how Australians and especially Maxwell, how competitive he is and how much he wants to be successful. Remember his innings in the World Cup against Afghanistan, had cramps, couldn’t walk, played with one hand, and went on to score 200.”
Wasim Akram
“Felt Like a Quarterfinal” – Wasim Akram on the Crucial CSK-RCB IPL 2024 Match
Wasim Akram also praised RCB for their battling spirit against five-time champions CSK in their quest to finish in the top four of IPL 2024. He called it one of the finest games in IPL history.
Akram said:
“It was virtually kind of like a quarterfinal. Ise kehte hain jab kismat ki devi meharbaan ho, jab apko apnea ap mein belief ho team pe. (When fortune favors you and you have self-belief, then you tend to achieve the impossible).”
Wasim Akram
The 57-year-old continued:
“Even I had said that qualifying is not only tough but impossible. They have proved everyone wrong. It’s an incredible story for RCB. That game will be written in the history of IPL.”
“We thought CSK would easily enter into the top 4 and it’ll be a fairytale ending for MS Dhoni. But again, uparwale ne kuch mana hua tha, kuch aur likha hua tha. Uparwala bhi unki help karta hai to khud ki help karte hain. (However, the almighty had written something else. Even God helps those who help themselves). There is a lesson to be learned from this RCB qualification. Luck favors the brave, never lose hope.”
Wasim Akram
Faf du Plessis and his teammates will next face Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL 2024 Eliminator on May 22 at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
