It’s almost impossible to believe that one dance form can become the cause of cricket rivalry. Although in this unpredictable world, anything is possible. It was Nazmul Islam Apu who made his debut for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in 2018 and came up with the celebration of the ‘nagin dance’ after picking up a wicket.
But this unusual dance form has created a never-ending rivalry between two Asian cricket teams, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It’s fairly right to say that this rivalry wants to sit alongside the India vs Pakistan contest or England vs Australia. But the honest truth is that this is just a rivalry without a cause.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Feud without reason
As mentioned, there have been no sticky layers in the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka relationship. On one hand, India and Pakistan have been rivals since Partition in 1947, and Australia and England have a tough colonial past, as the British oppressed Australians. But why do Bangladesh and Sri Lanka want to be part of them? Since they are meeting once again in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 game, let’s have a look at their rivalry timeline over the years.
Rivalry Timeline
Nidhas Trophy witnessed first Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka spat
It all started in the 2018 Nidhas trophy tournament, a tri-nation event between India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, hosted by Sri Lanka. In a group stage match, just like his colleague Nazmul Islam, Bangladesh veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim performed a Nagin dance. After clinching victory against Sri Lanka in a high-scoring encounter, which the Sri Lankan players and the locals, didn’t appreciate.
And the fight didn’t stop there, as it dragged into the virtual knockout match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The Bangladesh Tigers almost lost that game, but their ace all-rounder in that tournament, Mahmudullah, smashed 12 off three balls and gave his team one of the most amazing T20I victories. Then, the entire Bangladesh squad celebrated that win with the ‘Nagin Dance’. And that to in front of the Sri Lankan crowds and players, igniting nothing but anger among the Sri Lankans.
Angelo Mathews timed out, Controversy in!
After the Nidhas Trophy incident and a few tussles in bilateral games, one major incident took place last year in the 2023 50-over World Cup in India. The controversy occurred in a group stage match between both teams. Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews, who was having some issues with his helmet. And didn’t come to the crease to bat within the ICC-regulated time of 2 minutes.
Talking more about this situation, usually the opposition captain doesn’t appeal, but it was Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan who appealed for the wicket, and the umpire, due to the rule, gave Mathews ‘timed out,’ making him the first batter to be dismissed by ‘timed out’ in international cricket.
Angelo Mathews was utterly shocked after being given out, and not just Mathews, but Sri Lankan fans also went out of control after watching their ex-captain humiliated against their rivals. Sri Lankan fans got involved in fights against Bangladesh supporters. Although Mathews also did some interesting things when he dismissed Shakib, he celebrated by pointing at the invisible wristwatch on his wrist, reminding him of the timed-out incident.
What next is coming?
Since they are meeting each other once again in the multi-level tournament, and looking at the previous history, there is certainty that we are going to see some more salt-cracker moments.
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