A day after being controversially given ‘timed out’ at the Kotla in New Delhi, Sri Lankan batter Angelo Mathews has taken to social media, demanding “justice” from the International Cricket Council (ICC), and labelling Bangladesh captain Shakib-Al Hasan “a cheat.”
This follows the dismissal during the World Cup match on Monday which has drawn all-round flak from the cricketing world.
The incident revolved around Mathews’ failure to comply with the rules, which stipulate that a new batter must be ready to face a delivery within two minutes of a dismissal. Mathews, however, argued that he had been ready with seconds to spare before the strap on his helmet broke, necessitating a replacement.
Backing his stance with time-stamped video screenshots, Mathews said on X: “Video evidence shows I still had five more seconds even after the helmet gave away! Can the fourth umpire rectify this please? I mean safety is paramount as I just couldn’t face the bowler without a helmet. This is clear cheating; I want justice.”
Fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock had a different perspective. He asserted that Mathews wasn’t prepared to receive the ball within the mandated two minutes even before the strap issue came into play.
Mathews was left fuming at the post-match news conference on Monday.
“I haven’t done anything wrong. I had two minutes to get ready which I did but
there was an equipment malfunction and I don’t know where common sense (had) gone. It was disgraceful from Shakib and Bangladesh,” Mathews said.
“If they want to play cricket like that, stoop to that level, it is something wrong drastically. If I got late, past my two minutes and the law says I have to get ready in two minutes, I still had five more seconds to go.
“It was just pure common sense, I am not saying (doing) ‘Mankading’ or obstructing the field here, It is absolutely disgraceful.”
Mathews also had no qualms over his team not shaking hands with the opposition after the game.
“You want to respect people who respect us. We are all ambassadors of this beautiful game. If you don’t respect and use your common sense then what more you can ask for,” he said.
“Until today (Monday) I had utmost respect for him (Shakib) and Bangladesh team, obviously we all play to win and if it is within rules it is fine. But within two minutes I was there...we have video evidence... I am talking with proof from the time the catch was taken and then I got to the crease,” Mathews said.
Shakib showed no remorse for what he did. “I have no regrets. I have been playing against Angelo since our U-19 days. I think it was 2006 when we played against each other for the first time. What happened was unfortunate for him, but rules are rules,” he said.
Asked whether what transpired could be considered to be within the confines of the spirit of cricket, the Bangladesh captain replied: “In that case, ICC should change the rules.”
Shakib also blamed the Sri Lankan team for refusing to shake hands after the game.
He even hinted that a cricketing contest was more than just a game. “It’s war and everything is fair in it.
“The umpire asked me if I was serious and whether I would take it back or not. I said no. It’s in the laws; I don’t know if it’s right or wrong. I felt like I was at war. Whatever I had to do, I did it. There will be debates. Today that the timed out helped, I won’t deny that,” Shakib remarked on Monday.
The incident has ignited a broader discussion about the balance between adhering to the rules and upholding the spirit of cricket. It remains to be seen whether the ICC will address Mathews’ demands for “justice” or if this controversy will persist during the remainder of the World Cup.
With inputs from Reuters
