Bangladesh cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan defended his decision to appeal for the dismissal of Sri Lanka batsman Angelo Mathews who became the first player in the history of the game to be timed-out in their World Cup match in Delhi on Monday.
According to the rules a batsman can be timed-out if he does not be ready at the crease within the three minute stipulated time.
Mathews walked in at the fall of the fourth wicket that of Sadeera Samarawickrema with the total at 135 in the 25th over.
Moments before he faced the first ball Mathews tried to adjust his helmet strap which gave way and signalled to the dressing room for a helmet and the bowler Shakib Al Hasan successfully appealed for the wicket citing that the batsman is timed-out.
A dejected Angelo Mathews walks back after being ruled ‘Timed Out’, making him the first cricketer in the world to be dismissed in this manner in international cricket.
“I appealed and the umpire asked me whether I am serious. I said yes and it is within the rules. Right or wrong it was within the rules and I had to take a decision on behalf of my team”, said Shakib.
Sri Lanka ended up at 279 all out in 49.3 A dejected that Bangladesh chased down and won by three wickets inside 42 overs.
But Shakib’s Sri Lankan counterpart Kusal Mendis said common sense could have prevailed on the occasion.
“It was very disappointing,” said Mendis. “He (Mathews) came to bat at a crucial stage. The umpires could have stepped in and taken a good decision”.
In defending the target of 279, Mathews claimed the wicket of Shakib and while the batsman was leaving, he gestured by pointing to his wrist indicating the time.
