Mathews "timed out" as Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka batsman Angelo Mathews became the first player to be given "timed out" in the 146-year history of international cricket on Monday in a fiery World Cup clash won by Bangladesh. Chasing 280 for victory, Bangladesh rode on a 169-run stand between Najmul Hasan Shanto [90] and skipper Shakib Al Hasan [82] to reach their target with three wickets and 53 balls to spare. The result sealed Sri Lanka's exit from the semi-final race but Mathews' dismissal overshadowed the result after he was adjudged "timed out" for taking longer than the regulation two minutes to take strike when he arrived at the crease to bat. Mathews had come into bat after the fall of Sadeera Samarawickrama in the 25th over but was unable to secure his helmet strap tightly enough, an action which delayed the resumption of play. As a result, Shakib appealed for the wicket. On-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth talked to both teams before the decision was upheld. The 36-year-old Mathews reluctantly trudged off with most spectators appearing bemused by the decision. "I appealed and the umpire asked me if I was serious, whether I would take it back or not. I said no. If it is in the rules then it is out and that is exactly what happened," said Shakib. "It's in the laws. I don't know if it's right or wrong. I had to make sure my team wins so whatever I needed to do I had to do it." Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis said the umpires should have used "common sense". "When Angelo came to the crease there were like five seconds left for him to be ready and he found out that his helmet strap came out," said Mendis. "It was an equipment failure so I'm disappointed that the umpires couldn't react there and apply common sense." Shakib's decision to appeal for the wicket caused widespread dismay. "Mathews' dismissal was not good for the spirit of cricket," said Sri Lanka century-maker Charith Asalanka. Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn writing on X, formerly Twitter, said: "Well, that wasn't cool". Ex-India batsman Gautam Gambhir described the episode as "absolutely pathetic". (AFP)