In the wake of Angelo Mathews' unusual timed-out dismissal, Sri Lankan batsman Charith Asalanka emphasized the adverse impact on the spirit of cricket. Mathews found himself at the centre of a contentious decision during the match at New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday, November 6, marking an unprecedented event in international cricket.
Expressing his thoughts post the first innings, Asalanka underscored the significance of fair play, stating that Mathews' dismissal contradicted the essence of the game. The all-rounder was ousted without facing a single ball, aligning with the stipulated rules that enforce a timed-out decision if a batter fails to position themselves within three minutes of a wicket falling.
"It is always a good feeling when you hit a hundred. I am feeling happy now. My point is that the dismissal of Mathews is not good for the spirit of cricket. But that is how it goes with the rules," said Asalanka.
While relishing his personal milestone of scoring a hundred, Asalanka recognized the fruitful partnership he shared with Dhananjaya de Silva, highlighting the advantages of their collaborative left-hand, right-hand batting approach. The duo's 78-run partnership following Mathews' departure further underscored the efficacy of their combined effort.
Reflecting on the untimely incident, Asalanka expressed his contentment in batting alongside de Silva, acknowledging the latter's swift scoring prowess that complemented his own steady performance. The left-hand, and right-hand combination lent an added advantage to their collective gameplay, enhancing Sri Lanka's performance in the match.
"Had a good partnership with Dhanajaya. I am always happy to be batting with Dhananjaya. He always scores runs far more quickly than me. With Dhananjaya in the crease, I can take my time. He is a right-hander and I am a left-hander, which makes the partnership look even better," Asalanka added.
Mathews, batting at number 6, encountered an issue with his helmet strap, causing a delay that prompted Bangladesh's appeal. In response, on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth deliberated and ultimately ruled in favour of Mathews' dismissal.
Asalanka's exceptional performance contributed significantly to Sri Lanka's total score of 279 runs in 49.3 overs in New Delhi, with his remarkable achievement marking his maiden ODI World Cup century.
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