ODI World Cup 2023: Michael Atherton, Matthew Hayden lambast Shakib Al Hasan over Angelo Mathews' time-out dismissal

The Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh clash in the ODI World Cup 2023 on Monday, November 6 in Delhi became a heated affair after Angelo Mathews was dismissed 'timed out' in the first innings.

The incident happened in the 25th over as Mathews walked out to the middle after Sadeera Samarawickrama's dismissal. The veteran all-rounder's helmet strape came off at the last moment as he asked for a new helmet when Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan appealed against him for a timed out. The on-field umpires told Mathews that he had exhausted the two minutes he had to get ready to face the bowler. Shakib had the option to withdraw the appeal but he decided against it as Mathews had to take the long walk back without facing a ball.

English commentator Michael Atherton launched a scathing attack on Shakib and also said that no former cricketer has sided with his 'terrible' decision to dismiss Mathews.

"I don't think the umpires were at fault because it is their job to uphold the laws of the game. But terrible from Shakib [Al Hasan]. It's common sense. When you speak to former players, you often get a split opinion. Mankading, for example, sometimes a split opinion. My own view is that the batters shouldn't steal ground at the non-striker's end, so, I don't have a problem with that. I haven't spoken to one former player, yet, who thinks Bangladesh were in the right to do what they did. So, I have great sympathy for Angelo Mathews and Sri Lanka. I thought it was very poor from Shakib," Atherton told Star Sports.

A new level of damage to the spirit of the game: Matthew Hayden

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden also supported Atherton's views and emphasized the role of captains in protecting the spirit of the game.

"I had a problem with [non-striker runouts], but I am not sure what you call my problem with this incident because it just goes to a new level of damage to the Spirit of the Game. I don't care what code that you put up here, the laws of the game, it's common sense. It's a gentlemanly game, it's not a win-at-all-cost game. There has been instances over the years of cricketing history where it has turned into a win-at-all-cost type mentality. Australia just recently came through one with their scratching of the ball. That was something that, from an Australian cricket point of view, we were disgusted about," the southpaw said.

"But these incidents, they come down just to basic human goodness, which our game reflects. That's why it is a great survivor. It survived all sorts of humanitarian catastrophes over the years for the simple reasons as brothers or as sisters playing the game, you could embrace it at the end of it. You know, it could be hard for you on the field, and it was. But here we are as gentlemen now, talking about the game and loving the game, and it must be protected. These sorts of things, they need their onus placed on their captains. Not the umpires, but the playing XI and in particular, the captain need to make a fortress around the spirit of cricket."

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 279 as Charith Asalanka scored a fine century. Bangladesh chased the target in the 42nd over with three wickets in hand, on the back of a brilliant 169-run stand between Shakib and Najmul Hossain Shanto.

Also Check: ODI World Cup 2023 Points Table