Angelo Mathews: “I was shocked and disappointed by Shakib’s appeal”
Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews spoke to the media after his team’s loss to Bangladesh in the Cricket World Cup, and he was critical of Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan for appealing for him to be timed out.
Mathews was due to bat next after the dismissal of Dinesh Chandimal, but he was delayed by a problem with his helmet strap. The 12th man ran to retrieve a new helmet, but by the time Mathews was ready to bat, more than three minutes had elapsed since Chandimal’s dismissal.
Shakib appealed for Mathews to be timed out, and the umpires agreed. Mathews was given out without facing a ball, and he had to leave the field without any opportunity to bat.
“I was shocked and disappointed by Shakib’s appeal,” Mathews said at a press conference. “I was having a problem with my helmet strap, and the 12th man was taking a long time to bring me a new helmet. I was ready to bat as soon as possible, but I was given out without facing a ball.
“I don’t think it was a fair appeal. I think Shakib should have shown some common sense. He is a senior player and a captain, and he should have known better.”
Shakib, on the other hand, defended his decision to appeal for Mathews to be timed out. He said that he was simply following the rules of the game.
“The rule is clear: a new batter must take his position within two minutes of the previous dismissal,” Shakib said at a press conference. “If the batter fails to do so, the umpire may call ‘timed out’ and the batter is dismissed.
“Angelo was not ready to bat within two minutes of the previous dismissal. I had no choice but to appeal for him to be timed out.”
Angelo Mathews slams Shakib Al Hasan for “disgraceful” behaviour after timed out dismissal #AngeloMatthews #ShakibAlHasan #timedout #CricketWorldCup #SriLankaCricket #SLvsBAN https://t.co/ezsdX0eaxN
Read Full News👇— Ruby Jaan (@professor_ji0) November 7, 2023
The incident has sparked a debate about the timed-out rule. Some people have argued that the rule is too harsh, and that Mathews should not have been given out without facing a ball. Others have defended the rule, arguing that it is necessary to keep the game moving.
Regardless of one’s opinion on the rule, there is no doubt that the incident is a reminder of the importance of being prepared to bat at all times. It is also a warning to teams that they need to ensure that their players have the necessary equipment and that they are able to make substitutions quickly and efficiently.