In a dramatic World Cup encounter, Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews created history by becoming the first player in international cricket’s 146-year history to be dismissed due to a “timed out” violation. Mathews’ unique dismissal stirred controversy as he exceeded the two-minute regulation for taking strike upon arriving at the crease to bat. This incident overshadowed the match’s outcome and added tension to the atmosphere.
Notably, Bangladesh’s Najmul Hasan Shanto and Sri Lanka’s Sadeera Samarawickrama engaged in a heated verbal exchange, necessitating intervention from the umpires. Subsequently, Sri Lankan players confronted the officials, demanding a ball change as their fortunes dwindled.
Mathews came to bat after Samarawickrama’s wicket fell in the 25th over but faced a delay due to issues with securing his helmet strap. This led to Shakib Al Hasan appealing for Mathews’ wicket, which was eventually upheld after discussions between on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth.
The 36-year-old Mathews reluctantly left the field, leaving many spectators bewildered by the decision. Sri Lanka’s century-maker Charith Asalanka expressed his disappointment, stating, “Mathews’ dismissal was not good for the spirit of cricket.” Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn and ex-India batsman Gautam Gambhir also criticized the episode.
According to the laws of cricket, a batsman must be ready to receive the ball within two minutes after a wicket falls or a batsman retires. The Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians noted that there have been six instances of “timed out” in first-class cricket, with Mathews becoming the first in List A or Twenty20 cricket to face such a dismissal.
Angelo Mathews, a vastly experienced player, participated in his 225th one-day international, boasting a career that includes 5,900 runs and 122 wickets. He has also featured in 106 Tests and 78 Twenty20 internationals. During Bangladesh’s innings, Mathews, also a bowler, managed to dismiss Shakib with a well-executed delivery. However, a dropped catch by Asalanka allowed Shakib to continue his innings. Despite this, Mathews later took the crucial wicket of Shanto, setting off a collapse in the Bangladeshi batting lineup as they approached their target.
Before the match, concerns about air quality due to smog in New Delhi, the world’s most polluted major city, were addressed, and the game proceeded as scheduled. This fiery match ultimately saw Bangladesh emerge victorious, chasing down a target of 280 runs with three wickets and 53 balls to spare, effectively ending Sri Lanka’s semi-final aspirations. Shakib was later named the man of the match.