Even as Sri Lanka lost the match and were eliminated from the World Cup 2023 semi-final race, Angelo Mathews had his revenge on Shakib Al Hasan and gave the Bangladeshi captain a cheeky send-off.
The heat from Angelo Mathews’ Timed Out dismissal earlier in the match was still there, and the veteran Sri Lankan all-rounder showed it by giving a send-off to Shakib.
Angelo Mathews became the first-ever Timed Out dismissal in international cricket on Monday during in Delhi. Shakib Al Hasan made an appeal for Mathews’ dismissal when the batter, yet to face a ball, asked for a change in helmet after his strap fell off. The umpires accepted Shakib’s appeal, conferred with the third umpire that Mathews had taken more than the stipulated time of 2 minutes to get ready to face his first ball, and deemed the Sri Lankan Timed Out.
Later when Shakib came on to bat, Mathews was in the attack. Angelo Mathews could have dismissed Shakib when the left-hander had made just 7 runs, but Charith Asalanka dropped the catch.
Mathews finally got Shakib out, this time Asalanka held on to the catch, but by then Shakib had cracked 82 runs in 65 balls, turning the match in Bangaldesh’s favor.
Angelo Mathews gave Shakib a send-off, gesturing to an imaginary watch on his hand. Fans on social media erupted with comments targetting Shakib, saying that “Karma struck back” on the Bangladeshi skipper.
Watch: Angelo Mathews gives Shakib a send-off; fans react
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In the post-match press conference, Shakib talked about the incident with Mathews: “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.”
