The BAN vs SL World Cup match might be over, but the war of words between skippers Kusal Mendis and Shakib al Hasan continued after the match. The point of discussion? Angelo Mathews’s time-out dismissal. The Lankan all-rounder became the first player in International cricket to be dismissed in this fashion after Shakib al Hasan appealed to the umpires.
Despite pleading his case with the umpires and to Shakib, Angelo was dismissed after the Bangladeshi skipper refused to withdraw his appeal. Later it was revealed that Mathews in fact made it to the crease before the stipulated 2-minute time. In the second innings, Mathews dismissed Shakib and brought out the clock celebration but in turn it was the Bengal Tigers who took the game with 3 wickets to spare.
In the post-match presentation, both captains defended their versions and blamed the other. Kusal Mendis claimed that the umpires made a wrong decision while Shakib said he doesn’t know if the decision was right or wrong, but he took his chances as he was at war.
“It’s very disappointing – when Angelo came to the crease, there were 5 second left. Then he found out strap of the helmet came off. It’s disappointing umpires couldn’t step in and make correct decision,” said Kusal Mendis after the match.
“One of our fielders came to me and said if you appeal now he’ll be out. Then I appealed and the umpires asked me if I’m serious or whether I am going to take it back. It’s in the laws. I don’t know if it’s right or wrong. I was at war and I had to take a decision to make sure my team wins. Right or wrong, there will be debates but if it is in the rules I don’t mind taking those chances. That (altercation with Mathews) helped, bit more fight, I’m 36 and normally fight doesn’t come easily but happy it did today,” said Shakib al Hasan on Angelo Mathews’s dismissal.
