Date: November 6, 2023
Location: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
Match: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh – 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup
| Match Details |
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, November 6, 2023 |
| Dismissal Type |
Timed-out, following helmet issue |
| Rule in Question |
Two-minute rule for readiness after a wicket falls |
| Outcome |
Bangladesh won by three wickets |
| Significance |
First ODI timed-out dismissal without a ball being bowled |
This rather unusual dismissal was during the Sri Lanka and Bangladesh’s cricket face-off at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, which added a surprise factor to the event.
Mathews got dismissed in the 25th over, right on the second ball of it. He was summoned back to the crease when Sri Lanka lost their fourth wicket in 135 runs as Sadeera Samarawickrama scored 41 runs for 42 balls.
For instance, when Mathews was about to enter the pitch, he saw the strap to his helmet was not correct, and he asked for a new one to be brought.
However, while he awaited a new helmet, sitting out of the game was Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, who took a chance to appeal for a timed-out dismissal, something few have experienced in cricket’s long and splendid history.
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Shakib’s Appeal and the Stand Firm Decision
Subsequently, the ICC’s playing conditions stated that a batter should be ready to face the balls within two minutes if the wicket has fallen, or else he/she would be termed timed out.
Here, the umpires had no other option but to follow Shakib’s bidding, to which Mathews refrained in bewilderment.
Shakib did not listen to Mathews’ reasons, and the umpires supported him, thus becoming the first cricketer to be dismissed without a single ball being bowled for that reason.
This development upset the status quo not only at the talking point level but also tilted a little in favour of Bangladesh.
Mathews tried his very best to have himself excused, but it was his exit that would go down in the history of cricket.
Mathews’ Timed-Out Dismissal Marks Historic Moment in ODI
The particular match was largely inconsequential with both England and New Zealand out of the semi-finals, but this special phenomenon was created on it.
The fact that this was done at a time when the MLS season is largely still in the future and that such a decision is quite a rare occurrence prompted the social media frenzy as fans and players engaged in arguments over etiquette, fairness or referee’s call.
The match was eventually won by Bangladesh by three wickets. With no bearing on the tournament, the match will be remembered for Mathews’ timed out dismissal being a part of the record books of ODI cricket.
The event showed the importance of always coming prepared when it comes to high stakes tournaments and showed those who have never come across this rule before what it entails.
References:
ESPNCricInfo.com
Sportstar.com
