Delhi (Agencies): Bangladesh’s three-wicket win over Sri Lanka was overshadowed by Angelo Mathews’ controversial timed out dismissal in Delhi.
The former Sri Lanka skipper became the first international cricketer to be given out timed out.
Mathews protested that an issue with his helmet prevented him from being in position to face up to his first ball within the required two minutes of the previous wicket, but much to his and Sri Lanka’s astonishment, the wicket stood.
That left Sri Lanka 135-5 but a superb century from Charith Asalanka took them up to 279 all out. Batting conditions improved under lights and Bangladesh made light work of the chase with Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan putting on 169 for the third wicket.
Both were dismissed short of their centuries by a fired-up Mathews, who sent Shakib on his way with a tap of his wrist, but despite a late wobble, the Tigers got over the line with 53 balls to spare.
With Bangladesh already eliminated and Sri Lanka needing a miracle to progress, Champions Trophy qualification was set to be the focus of a match that went ahead despite poor air quality in the Indian capital.
However, that all changed two balls into the 25th over of the Sri Lanka innings when Mathews walked out following Sadeera Samarawickrama’s dismissal. Under the International Cricket Council’s rules for the World Cup, a batter must be ready to face the next ball within two minutes of the previous dismissal and, while cutting it fine, there was no suggestion of a problem before the chinstrap on Mathews’ helmet snapped as he attempted to tighten it.
When he called for a replacement, causing a delay, Bangladesh captain Shakib appealed and a furious Mathews was eventually given out. While Sri Lanka’s players and coaches raged off the field, Asalanka kept his cool on it, taking his frustrations out on the bowlers to reach his second one-day international century. He fell for 108 from 105 balls in the penultimate over of the innings as Sri Lanka were bowled out with three balls left unused.
Left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka removed openers Tanzid Hasan and Liton Das early in the Bangladesh chase but Shakib was dropped on seven off the bowling of Mathews and it proved costly. He and Shanto started steadily but the boundaries were soon flowing and Sri Lanka, still seething at a perceived injustice, had no answers.
Mathews gave them hope when he ousted both set batters in quick succession and they proceeded to take another three wickets before Bangladesh sealed the win in the 42nd over.
Defeat confirms Sri Lanka’s elimination from semi-final contention on the day in which the country’s sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe sacked the national cricket board following their humiliating loss by India in their last game.
Sri Lanka anger evident in tempestuous second innings
Sri Lanka’s anger at Mathews’ dismissal was evident and captain Kusal Mendis and coach Chris Silverwood both held conversations with fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock.
Holdstock spoke at the innings break and said “the batter wasn’t ready within those two minutes even before the strap became an issue for him”, suggesting the helmet delay was not the reason for his unusual dismissal – the first of its kind in 146 years of international cricket.
That explanation did little to calm Sri Lanka before they went out to field and they celebrated the early wickets of Tanzid and Das with gusto.
However, as Shanto and Shakib’s partnership grew, so too did the fielding side’s frustration. Predictably, Mathews and Shakib exchanged words, as did Samarawickrama and Shanto, and the umpires were also surrounded by six Sri Lanka players midway through the innings as they asked for the ball to be changed.
That fight began to wane as Bangladesh got closer to their target but five wickets in nine overs gave brief hope of a win that would have been so sweet for the 1996 champions.
‘I’m disappointed the umpires didn’t apply common sense’ – what they said
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis, via a translator: “It is very disappointing that when Angelo came to the crease there were like five seconds left for him to be ready and he found out that his helmet strap came out.
“It was an equipment failure so I’m disappointed that the umpires couldn’t react there and apply common sense. It is unfortunate that it happened during a crucial time.”
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan: “It is in the Laws. I don’t know if it it is right or wrong. But I feel like I was here to work, so had to make sure my team wins so whatever I needed to do I had to do it.
“Right or wrong there will be debates. But if it is within the rules I don’t mind taking those chances.”
Fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock on Mathews’ dismissal: “The TV umpire monitors the two minutes and he will then relay the message to the standing umpire.
“In this instance the batter wasn’t ready within those two minutes even before the strap became an issue for him. The two minutes had already elapsed.”
