World Cup 2023: Sri Lanka and Bangladesh players refuse to shake hands after ‘timed out’ controversy in New Delhi

Shakib Al Hasan and Najmul Shanto scored half-centuries to guide Bangladesh to a win against Sri Lanka in an ill-tempered contest in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka by 3 wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. With this win, Bangladesh kept their hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy alive. They also moved above Sri Lanka and into seventh place in the World Cup 2023 points table due to a superior net run-rate.

In fact, this was the first time that Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in ODI World Cup history, having lost the last three times these sides met in the competition.

After being put to bat first by Bangladesh, Sri Lanka were dealt an early blow when Shoriful Islam sent the hard-hitting Kusal Perera back in the very first over. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis stuck around for a 61-run stand to get Sri Lanka back in the contest.

Their partnership was broken by Shakib Al Hasan, sending Mendis back to the pavilion in the 12th over. Following Mendis’ dismissal, Nissanka fell short of his 14th ODI half-century, being dismissed after scoring 41 runs off 36 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries.

Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka stitched a 63-run partnership before Shakib sent Sadeera packing in the 25th over after scoring 41 runs off 42 balls, hitting four boundaries.

ANGELO MATHEWS TIMED OUT

In a controversial turn of events, veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews was dismissed without even facing a single delivery, having been timed out in New Delhi. Mathews became the first player to ever be timed out in international cricket.

Mathews walked in to bat at number 6 and was facing an issue with his helmet’s strap, which meant that he could not take the crease in the required amount of time, prompting the Bangladesh players to appeal. Following their appeal, the on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth had a chat with each other and decided to dismiss Mathews.

Following Mathews’ dismissal, Asalanka took the attack to Bangladesh and formed a 78-run stand with Dhanajaya de Silva while also completing his half-century. Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke their partnership, before Shoriful sent Maheesh Theekshana packing in the 46th over.

Asalanka went on to hit his maiden ODI World Cup century before Tanzim Hasan Sakib dismissed him to pick his second wicket of the day. Asalanka departed after scoring 108 runs off 105 balls, hitting six boundaries and five sixes.

Sri Lanka’s tail failed to move the scoreboard much as they were bundled over for 279 runs in 49.3 overs in New Delhi. Tanzim was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers, claiming three wickets against Sri Lanka.

MADUSHANKA PROVIDES EARLY WICKETS

Sri Lanka pacer Dilshan Madushanka continued his domination in powerplays in the ongoing World Cup and picked the wickets of Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das early in their innings. Madushanka has been brilliant in the powerplay this World Cup, claiming nine wickets in eight matches at an average of 17.66.

Shakib walked in when Bangladesh were reduced to 41 for 2 in 6.1 overs and formed a massive partnership with Najmul Shanto to turn the game’s tide. Both batters went on to hit half-centuries as Bangladesh gained control in their 280-run chase.

POETIC JUSTICE FOR MATHEWS

They formed a 169-run stand before Mathews sent both of them packing in successive overs. Mathews first dismissed Shakib in the 32nd over and even gave him a send-off. Shakib scored 82 runs off 65 balls, hitting 12 boundaries and two sixes.

He then went on to clean up Shanto in the 34th over to deny him his maiden ODI World Cup century. Shanto departed after scoring 90 runs off 101 deliveries, smashing 12 fours in New Delhi.

It was a case of poetic justice for the veteran all-rounder as Shakib and Shanto were the ones who appealed for Mathews to be timed out in the first innings.

Following the twin dismissals of Shakib and Shanto, Maheesh Theekshana and Madushanka piled further pressure on Bangladesh by sending Mushfqur Rahim and the in-form Mahmudullah back to the pavilion.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz lost his wicket playing a rash shot but Towhid Hridoy and Tanzim made sure that Bangladesh crossed the line with three wickets and 8.5 overs remaining.

Following this win, Bangladesh will face 5-time champions Australia in their final match in the 2023 World Cup. As for Sri Lanka, they will take on New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on November 9.