The ‘timed-out’ controversy during Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh's ODI World Cup clash sparked debate which saw many siding with Angelo Mathews while some advocated Shakib Al Hasan's appeal.
When Mathews came out to bat, the strap of his helmet snapped after he took the crease for reportedly more than two minutes. This is when Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan appealed to the umpires against Mathews, who was then sent back to the pavilion without facing a ball. Mathews argued that the helmet malfunctioned during his adjustment, not before stepping onto the field. Despite his efforts, Mathews was forced to exit without taking a single delivery, sparking a charged moment. This incident injected vigour into the otherwise subdued match, leading Mathews to engage in a conversation with Shakib, urging him to confer with the umpires.
Meanwhile, Mathews' brother Trevin Mathews warned Shakib following the ‘timed-out’ row. He accused Shakib of lack of sportsmanship and went on to said that stones will be thrown at Bangladesh skipper if he comes to Sri Lanka to play any international match or the Lanka Premier League (LPL).
As quoted by BDCricTime.com, Trevin, who also plays club level cricket, said,"We are very disappointed. Bangladeshi captain has no sportsman spirit and did not show humanity in the gentleman’s game.”
“We never expected this right from his captain to the rest of the team members. Shakib is not welcome in Sri Lanka. If he comes here to play any international or the LPL matches, stones will be thrown at him, or will have to face the annoyance of the fans. “Angelo was within his crease in the stipulated time but it was not his fault when the strap of his helmet was broken,” he added.
Meanwhile, during a conversation with Ian Bishop, fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock explained the rationale behind the controversial ‘timed out’. He said that the two-minute time period already got lapsed before Mathews' helmet strap malfunction happened.
“ICC World Cup playing conditions supersede the MCC laws of cricket. When it comes to the timed out, at the fall of a wicket, or even retirement of a batter, the incoming batter has to be in position and ready to receive the ball within two minutes, or his other partner to receive the ball in two minutes,” Holdstock said.
“We have certain protocols where the TV umpire at the fall of the wicket, monitors the two minutes. And he will then relay the message to the on-field umpires. And in the instance this afternoon, the batter wasn’t ready to receive the ball within those two minutes, even before the strap became an issue for him,” he further added.
In his defence Mathews said that umpire was wrong at his place and claimed that he still had five more second even after the helmet's malfunction.
"Fourth umpire is wrong here! Video evidence shows I still had 5 more seconds even after the helmet gave away! Can the 4th umpire rectify this please? I mean safety is paramount as I just couldn't face the bowler without a helmet," Mathews earlier tweeted.
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