Angelo Mathews timed out: ‘Have lost all respect for Shakib’, Netizens divided over bizarre dismissal in BAN-SL match

Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews was dismissed in bizarre fashion during his team’s Cricket World Cup match against Bangladesh in Delhi on Monday.

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In the 25^th over of the Lankan innings, Mathews, who came into bat at number six, took more than two minutes to settle down at the crease. Just when Mathews was about to take strike, the strap of his helmet got broken and made a gesture towards the dugout for a new strap.

However, Shakib Al Hasan noticed the delay and he and his Bangladesh side appealed for a “timed out” dismissal against Mathews, and the on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth gave the veteran out.

All this was while Mathews was pleading with the umpires to deny the dismissal, but his efforts of doing so went in vain.

The incident has since divided social media, with current and former cricketers as well as other experts and fans taking to microblogging platform X to express their views. Quite a few sided with Mathews, some sympathised with Shakib and the Tigers, but a vast majority were simply taken by surprise.

Here are a few reactions to the incident:

Absolutely pathetic what happened in Delhi today! #AngeloMathews

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) November 6, 2023

HISTORY IN DELHI….!!!

Angelo Mathews becomes the first cricketer in history to be out on 'timed out'. pic.twitter.com/VRg1xmSTDf

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 6, 2023

Angelo Mathews being timed out by Bangladesh because of delay in fixing his helmet strap may be right law, but reflects perverted disregard to how the game should be played

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 6, 2023

What happened today was extremely wrong !! It was not that Angelo Mathews was wasting any time,in front of them he checked helmet & went due to that,knowing that,Shakib appealed & didn't take it back when requested by Angelo.Shakib has lost all respect!!#BANvSL | #AngeloMathews pic.twitter.com/JgTZ1b6IR4

— ishaan (@ixxcric) November 6, 2023

Have lost all respect for @Sah75official #Bangladesh … #AngeloMathews we are with you .. @cricketworldcup

— V Krishnaswamy (@Swinging_Swamy) November 6, 2023

If I was #Shakib I would not have appealed as a Captain and I would have broken more than just a helmet if I was #AngeloMathews #SLvsBan

— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) November 6, 2023