Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Mathews' controversial dismissal, Asalanka ton and other top moments
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Mathews' controversial dismissal, Asalanka ton and other top moments
Bangladesh overcame Sri Lanka in a controversy-marred 2023 World Cup clash in Delhi on Monday, thereby knocking the former champions out of the tournament. While Bangladesh did play party-poopers, Sri Lanka were at the receiving end of things as Angelo Mathews was dismissed in dramatic fashion, which eventually became the talk of the town and divided the cricketing fraternity.
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After Charith Asalanka’s century led Sri Lanka to 279, Shakib Al Hasan (82) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (90) led the chase as Bangladesh clinched a three-wicket win, with more than eight overs to spare.
It was a match filled with tense and dramatic moments, along with something that had not been witnessed before in international cricket. Let’s take a look at the top five moments from the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka game:
Angelo Mathews’ bizarre dismissal
It’s the 25th over. Sri Lanka have just lost Sadeera Samaraiwickrama, who was caught by Mahmudullah off Shakib’s delivery in the second ball of the over.
Read: Why Angelo Mathews was dismissed ‘Timed Out’ during BAN vs SL game?
In came Angelo Mathews at number six. However, the problem is while Mathews was walking out to bat, the strap of his helmet got broken. And just as he was waiting for the replacement strap, Shakib and his teammates appealed to the umpires that Mathews be given “timed out”. Mathews did his best, pleading with the umpires, but the on-field decision from the umpires remained out.
According to the official playing conditions of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, a batter must gear up to face the first ball within two minutes of the latest dismissal, or else the batter would be “timed out”.
“40.1.1After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must, unless Time has been called, be ready to receive the ball, or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 2 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out,” reads one of the playing conditions for the tournament.
This controversy divided the cricketing fraternity, with former India batter Gautam Gambhir terming it as an “absolutely pathetic” incident.
“Absolutely pathetic what happened in Delhi today! #AngeloMathews,” he wrote on ‘X’.
This was the first time a batter had been dismissed via “timed out” in international cricket.
Charith Asalanka steadies the ship
On Monday, Charith Asalanka scored what was only his second century in ODIs. Against Bangladesh, Asalanka went on to play a patient knock of 108 off 105 balls, hitting six fours and five sixes in the process.
Coming into bat at number four in the 13th over, Asalanka was beaten in the first ball by a length delivery from Tanzim Hasan but would go on to smash the 21-year-old for a six over long-on just a few overs later.
Asalanka would then hit Shakib for a couple of maximums, before getting to his fifty with a boundary behind square leg off Tanzim.
Tanzim Hasan went on to endure more of Asalanka’s boundaries, including a six just after Asalanka reached his century, with the Sri Lankan hoicking over deep square leg for that one.
However, after getting belted for a few boundaries, Tanzim went on to get his man, as Asalanka was eventually caught by Litton Das at the deep point in the 49th over.
Madushanka strikes twice early
A target of 280 was always going to be challenging for a Bangladesh side who have struggled with their batting in the World Cup.
Dilshan Madushanka is known to provide Sri Lanka with early breakthroughs, and as he had done before this tournament, Madushanka got the wickets of Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das.
To Tanzid, Madushanka delivered the good length ball. Tanzid went look to play the loft over cover-point, but eventually holed out to Pathum Nissanka at cover, after managing to get just the toe end of his bat.
Litton Das, meanwhile, fell trap to an exquisite yorker from Madushanka. Litton was looking for the forward defence, but was eventually struck on the front leg, resulting in an LBW.
Shakib-Najmul stand
Had it not been for a 169-run stand between Shakib Al Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto for the third wicket, Bangladesh might very well have been in a spot of bother.
While both missed out on centuries, the duo went on to lay the foundation for the chase.
Shakib would go on to take on Dushmantha Chameera with repeated boundaries, whereas Najmul was more balanced with his approach as far as boundaries and rotating strikes were concerned.
It’s safe to say that had it not been for Shakib’s brilliance with the bat, Bangladesh may have very well succumbed to a seventh consecutive defeat. Shakib was dropped on eight by Charith Asalanka but turned things around with an aggressive mindset to get to his fifty in 47 balls.
Angelo Mathews gets his revenge
Despite being on the losing side of the contest, Angelo Mathews finally got his revenge, dismissing Shakib Al Hasan in the 32nd over. While Shakib was looking set for a century, Mathews had other plans.
Mathews initiated the off-cutter, and Shakib, who played the flick a bit too early, got a leading edge off his bat that went towards Asalanka at mid-off.
They say revenge is a dish when served cold. For Mathews, this was his revenge, so much so that he showed a gesture to Shakib, pointing to his watch, signalling that the latter’s time at the crease had finally ended.
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