Sri Lankan veteran Angelo Mathews lashed out at Shakib Al Hasan and Bangladesh after his controversial timed-out dismissal at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Monday. Mathews entered the record books as he became the first batter to be dismissed Timed Out in International cricket.
Mathews said there were five seconds remaining when he found out that his helmet strap was broken and he asked for a replacement. In the meantime, Shakib Al Hasan appealed for timed out and the on-field umpires – Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth – adjudged the all-rounder as Out.
In fact, Mathews tried to explain his case to both umpires and Shakib Al Hasan but it was to no avail as he had to leave without even facing a single ball. The veteran said it was an equipment malfunction but Bangladesh has stooped to a new low.
“Absolutely disgraceful. We all play to win but I never thought a team or player would stoop to such levels to get a wicket,” Mathews told the media after the game. “I did nothing wrong. I reached the crease in time. It was an equipment malfunction and I was not wasting time or trying to gain an advantage. Common sense should have prevailed.”
Mathews also slammed the umpires and thinks they failed to make the right decision in the end.
“We have video evidence that I was ready to take strike with five seconds left in the two-minute time limit. The umpires could have checked before arriving at a decision.”
Mathews added his dismissal was different from Mankading or Obstructing the field and feels Hasan had the choice to withdraw his appeal.
“This (what Shakib did) was bringing the game into disrepute. This was not something like Mankading or Obstructing the Field where the rules are pretty clear. If the non-striker is out of his ground, he can be run out. If the batsman intentionally gets into the path of a throw to stop it from hitting the stumps, he can be declared out. But this is not such a case. We show respect to people who respect us. We are all ambassadors of the game. I had the utmost respect for Shakib, until today,” the veteran said. “He had the choice to take back his appeal, but didn’t do so.”
Sri Lanka will play their last match of the World Cup against New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Thursday.
