BAN vs SL: In an unusual turn of events during the 38th match of the ODI World Cup 2023 between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Delhi, a peculiar dismissal caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Sri Lankan veteran Angelo Mathews was declared out without facing a single delivery, an incident that has since sparked rapid viral discussions across social media platforms.
The Sri Lankan side, opting to bat first, experienced an early setback with the loss of their seasoned all-rounder, Mathews. Upon his arrival at the crease, an unexpected delay occurred. Mathews, preparing to face his first ball, found that the strap of his helmet had snapped. As he signaled for a replacement from the dressing room, the minutes ticked by, causing an unforeseen delay in the game.
BAN vs SL: Amidst this situation, Bangladesh’s captain, Shakib Al Hasan, made a contentious but lawful move by appealing for a ‘timed out’ dismissal. The appeal was made on the grounds that Mathews had not been ready to face the next delivery within the prescribed time. Despite Mathews showing the damaged helmet to Shakib in an attempt to explain the cause of the delay, the Bangladesh captain stood firm on his appeal.
According to cricket’s rules, when a batsman is dismissed or retires hurt, his replacement must be ready to face the next ball within the stipulated time. Failure to do so can result in a ‘timed out’ decision. In this case, although Mathews had made it to the crease within the 3-minute window, the time taken to sort out the helmet issue went beyond the allowance, leading the umpire to uphold Shakib’s appeal and give Mathews out.
BAN vs SL: The incident left Mathews visibly frustrated; the disappointment was clear as he, in a rare display of agitation, tossed his helmet while making his way back to the pavilion. This moment has been recorded as a first in the 146-year history of international cricket, marking Mathews as the inaugural batsman to be given out for being ‘timed out’.
The outcome of this incident not only affected the mood of the player but also stirred up a debate among fans and experts regarding the spirit of the game. While some may argue that rules are in place to be followed, others suggest that the spirit of cricket embodies sportsmanship that could have allowed for some leniency in an accidental equipment malfunction.
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