Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews dismissed Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan in the second ball of the 31st over during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 contest between the Asian sides on Monday. Shakib Al Hasan, who was cruising on 82 from 65 deliveries, fell to a deceptive delivery from Mathews and chipped the ball up -- handing a comfortable catch to a charging Charith Asalanka.
However, Mathews gave a unique send-off to the Bangladesh captain as the latter walked off the pitch. The Sri Lankan star gestured towards his wrist -- as if showing the time as Shakib walked off.
The cryptic message
The gesture was a cryptic message from Angelo Mathews, commentators on air pointed out. He was signalling Shakib Al Hasan that it was his time to go now. The context lies in the first innings of the tie when Mathews became the first batter to be "timed out" in international cricket.
Mathews walked out late to bat and then further delayed play as he found a fault in his helmet and wanted to get it changed. Shakib appealed to rule Mathews timed out and the umpires agreed. Mathews was asked to leave the pitch sans facing a ball despite his protests. The 35-year-old was also seen talking to Shakib Al Hasan before leaving the field angrily.
His send-off to Shakib involving a watch and time reference is said to be the continuation of this episode.
'Timed Out' rule in cricket explained
According to MCC, a batter is deemed timed out under the following circumstance:
After 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 3 minutes of the dismissal or retirement.
The laws also add that the bowler does not get the credit for the wicket.
ANGELO MATHEWS'S DISMISSAL AGAINST BANGLADESH: READ FULL REPORT HERE
But, according to ICC World Cup 2023 playing conditions, the time limit for the batter is just two minutes.
"After 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," says the World Cup playing conditions.