Bangladesh on Monday defeated Sri Lanka in their World Cup match but not before the proceedings at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium courted a huge controversy. This was after Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan appeal for a wicket invoking a ‘time out’ clause in the rule of the game against Angelo Mathews, who became the first international cricketer to be timed out in his side’s World Cup defeat in Delhi.
Enraged by Shakib’s action, Mathews called Bangladesh’s action ‘disgraceful.’
Not mincing words, Mathews said after the match, “I don’t know where the common sense went because obviously it is disgraceful from Shakib and Bangladesh if they want to play cricket like that. To stoop down to that level there is something drastically wrong.”
Just before taking the guard, Mathews realised that his helmet strap had snapped, prompting him to request for a replacement. This appeared to enrage Shakib, who appealed for a wicket using the ‘time out’ clause. The umpire agreed with him, declaring Mathews out.
As reported by the BBC, Mathews said, “I still had five seconds to go after my helmet broke. I’m not talking about ‘Mankading’ (running out a batter at the non-striker’s end) or obstructing the field, I am just talking about common sense. It is absolutely disgraceful.
“We talk about the safety of the players, but you guys tell me if it is right for me to take my guard without my helmet?”
Sri Lanka were all out for 279 runs in 49.3 overs with Charith Asalanka playing a knock of 108 runs.
Bangladesh achieved the target by losing just seven wickets in 41.1 overs.
According to reporters, Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis and coach Chris Silverwood met fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock during the innings break. Holdstock reportedly said that Mathews wasn’t ready within those two minutes even before the strap became an issue for him.
This is the first time in the 146 years of cricket’s history that a player has been declared out after being timed out.