A huge controversy erupted in the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka World Cup match as Sri Lankan batsman Angelo Mathews was 'timed out' and got out without facing a single ball. His dismissal was highly debated as several called it against the spirit of the game. Moreover, there were no handshakes between the teams after the controversial 'timed out' dismissal.

 

 

“Absolutely disgraceful. We all play to win but I never thought a team or player would stoop to such levels to get a wicket,” Mathews told the media after the game in which Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan appealed for the unusual mode of dismissal. The three-wicket defeat mathematically knocked out the islanders from the World Cup. “I did nothing wrong. I reached the crease in time. It was an equipment malfunction and I was not wasting time or trying to gain an advantage. Common sense should have prevailed.”

 

The former Lankan skipper didn’t spare the umpires either.

 

“We have video evidence that I was ready to take strike with five seconds left in the two-minute time limit. The umpires could have checked before arriving at a decision.”

 

 

Earlier, when Mathew dismissed Shakib during the Bangladesh innings, denying him a hundred, he pointed to an imaginary watch on his wrist to suggest ‘it was time to go’ as the left-hander made his way back.

 

“This (what Shakib did) was bringing the game into disrepute. This was not something like Mankading or Obstructing the Field where the rules are pretty clear. If the non-striker is out of his ground, he can be run out. If the batsman intentionally gets into the path of a throw to stop it from hitting the stumps, he can be declared out. But this is not such a case. We show respect to people who respect us. We are all ambassadors of the game. I had the utmost respect for Shakib, until today,” the veteran said. “He had the choice to take back his appeal, but didn’t do so.”

 

 

The two teams have had a lot of bad blood in previous encounters and Mathews indicated that it had something to do with the incident midway through the Lankan innings. Both teams have indulged in the now-infamous ‘Naagin’ dance after victories over the last five years, taunting the other side.

 

"I don’t think if it would have been any other team, they would have done what Bangladesh did."

 

 

 

Shakib said, "I have no regrets. I have been playing against Angelo since our U-19 days. I think it was 2006 when we played against each other for the first time. What happened was unfortunate for him, but rules are rules"

 

When asked whether what transpired could be considered to be within the confines of the spirit of cricket, the Bangladesh captain replied: “In that case, ICC should change the rules.” He even hinted that a cricketing contest was more than just a game. "It’s war and everything is fair in it."

 

Shakib also blamed the Sri Lankan team for refusing to shake hands after the game. "It was they who left,” a claim confirmed later by his teammate Towhid Hridoy.

 

When asked what would be his reaction if the shoe was on the other foot and the opposition had appealed for his dismissal in similar circumstances, Shakib retorted, "I will be careful so that it doesn’t happen to me".

 

Fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock had said during the innings break that Mathews had already exhausted the two minutes allowed to him before the strap of his helmet broke, and the correct decision was made. The Lankan termed that contention “laughable.”

 

To know what exactly happened, read here-