Sri Lanka’s World Cup 2023 campaign took a controversial turn when they refused to shake hands with Bangladesh players after their nail-biting showdown.
The Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh match, captained by Kusal Mendis and Shakib Al Hasan, will be remembered not only for its intense on-field rivalry but also for the unprecedented incident involving Angelo Mathews, who was declared “timed out” in the 25th over, marking a historic moment in international cricket.
The controversial decision to time Mathews out sparked heated debates about the accuracy of the rule and whether Shakib should have withdrawn his appeal. Tempers flared, with Mathews visibly frustrated, throwing his helmet and gloves in disbelief, while Captain Mendis and Coach Chris Silverwood looked on in astonishment.
Despite the umpires’ attempts to clarify the ruling, Mathews insisted he reached the crease within the stipulated two minutes, citing a helmet strap malfunction as a safety equipment issue. When it was Sri Lanka’s turn to field, they gave Shakib a fiery welcome, and Mathews pointed towards his wrist, signifying the timed-out dismissal. The tension lingered even after Bangladesh clinched the victory.
As Bangladesh secured the winning runs, Sri Lanka’s players notably avoided handshakes with their opponents, a customary post-match ritual. There was no attempt from the Bangladesh camp to mend fences either. However, the support staff of both teams did engage in the customary exchange of pleasantries.
When questioned about the refusal to shake hands with Bangladesh players, Mathews explained that it was due to a perceived lack of respect from their opponents towards both Sri Lanka and the game of cricket. He emphasized that respect should be mutual and urged all cricketers to be ambassadors of the beautiful game.
Bangladesh’s victory not only ended Sri Lanka’s hopes of reaching the World Cup semifinals but also snapped a six-match losing streak. Najmul Hossain Shanto’s remarkable 90 and Skipper Shakib Al Hasan’s 82 contributed significantly, with Shakib standing firm on the timed-out appeal against Mathews.
The match was filled with twists and turns, with Charith Asalanka’s brilliant 108 giving Sri Lanka a fighting chance. Mathews, as a bowler, provided hope with crucial wickets, though a dropped catch by Asalanka allowed Shakib to continue his innings. Shanto’s departure and a late contribution from Asalanka made the game thrilling.
Dilshan Madushanka, Sri Lanka’s left-arm fast bowler, emerged as the World Cup’s leading wicket-taker with 21 scalps. His 3-69 effort was instrumental in keeping the contest alive.
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