This wasn’t the first time Angelo Mathews played a game of cricket in Delhi with smog all around. He had experienced playing in such hazardous conditions when he was here for a Test match against hosts India back in 2017, which had ended in a draw. Six years later, he was back in the national capital to play a must-win World Cup game against Bangladesh with the air quality no better than the aforementioned 2017 visit.
Mathews scored a century in that Test match but on Monday night, he was given out before he could face a single delivery! In what was the most bizarre dismissal in the game’s history, the seasoned all-rounder was adjudged timed-out – the first case at the international level in the 146-year-old history of the game.
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Helmet was the culprit
Right before facing the first ball – Shakib al Hasan was in the attack – the strap of his helmet broke and he looked to get it replaced. Once he got the new one, he came to know that he had been given out. He was ‘Timed-out’.
Mathews had a lengthy discussion with Bangladesh players and the umpires, but the appeal was not withdrawn and the Lankan cricketer had to walk back in dismay.
As told by Ian Bishop on air for the official broadcaster, the umpires consulted Shakib twice if he wanted to continue with his appeal against Mathews before ruling the Lankan all-rounder out. The Bangladesh captain stood firm on his decision, and he later admitted that he did not withdraw his appeal, adding that he had no regrets.
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“He [Mathews] came and asked me whether if I withdraw my appeal or not If I want to, I said, you know, I understand your situation. It was unfortunate, but I don’t want to,” Shakib told the media after defeating Sri Lanka by 7 wickets.
‘Lost all Respect for Bangladesh and Shakib’
The turn of events not only left Mathews disheartened but also made him lose all his respect for the Bangladesh team and its captain Shakib al Hasan.
‘I don’t know where the common sense went, because it’s disgraceful from Shakib and Bangladesh if they want to play cricket like that stooped down to that level I think there’s something wrong drastically,” a fuming Mathews told media after the game.
“Until today, I had the utmost respect for him [Shakib] and the Bangladesh team.”
“If it’s within the rule, it’s fine. But the rule clearly says, in my incident today, within two minutes I was there. We have video evidence. We will put out a statement later on. We have video evidence and footage, everything was looked at. I’m not just coming and saying things here. I’m talking with proof.
“So, we have the video evidence where from the time the catch was taken, and then from the time I walked into the crease, I still had five seconds after breaking my helmet. So, we talk about the safety of the players – you guys tell me if it’s right for me to take my guard without my helmet on? It’s just pure common sense,” he added.
Sri Lanka skip customary handshake
The Lankans were already pissed off and the 3-wicket defeat rubbed salt to their wounds. They were so hurt and agonized that they skipped the customary handshake following the conclusion of the game. And Mathews didn’t shy off revealing the reason behind it.
“You need to respect people who respect us. It doesn’t mean that – they have to respect the game itself. I mean, we all are ambassadors of this beautiful game, including the umpires. So then, if you don’t respect and if you don’t use your common sense, what more can you ask for,” he added.
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