Shakib vs Mathews: Shakib said - this is a war, I will do anything to win, Mathews said - have never seen anyone stooping so low

There was a lot of chaos due to the decision to time out in the match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup 2023. After the match, Sri Lankan players did not even shake hands with Bangladeshi players. After the fight inside the field during the match, the war between Angelo Mathews and Shakib Al Hasan continues outside the field as well. Both of them have given statements regarding time out during the press conference. They have also targeted each other.

Regarding the opposition captain and the team, Mathews said that he would never be able to respect these people. At the same time, Shakib said that this is a war and he will do anything to win it. During the match, Mathews came to bat in the 25th over of the Sri Lankan innings. When he was not ready to face the ball for two minutes, Bangladesh appealed for time out against him and he had to go back.

What did Shakib say after the match?

Bangladesh captain Shakib said after the match - I have no regrets on my appeal. Whatever I did, I did it within the limits of the rules. Matthews had taken over two minutes. One of my teammates told me that it is taking time and we can appeal the time out to the umpire. After this, I appealed to the umpire. I have known Mathews since 2006. We have been playing against each other since the Under-19 World Cup. After the appeal he came to me and asked me if he was withdrawing his appeal, I refused to withdraw it. I went to the umpire and asked him to give him out, then the umpire asked are you sure you want to do this, then I said that if it is in the rules then he should be given out. We are in a battle and I will do whatever I have to do to help our team win. There will always be discussion about whether this is right or wrong, but I did only what was in the rules.

Why did Shakib speak on sportsmanship?

Regarding the spirit of the game, Shakib said, 'If it is against the rules then the ICC should look into it and change the rules.' When Shakib was asked by the journalists to put himself in the shoes of Mathews and tell him, how would you feel if this happened to you? In response to this question, Shakib said, 'I will be careful and this will not happen to me.' Regarding the match, Shakib said- When we won the toss, we had no hesitation in deciding to bowl first. We saw that dew plays an important role here. The partnership that happened between me and Shanto was amazing. We had to finish the match first and allow less wickets to fall. We know that young players are the future of our team. That's why we are backing players like Hridoy.

'I will not be able to respect Shakib and Bangladesh'

In the press conference after the match, Mathews said – I did not do anything wrong. When the strip of my helmet broke, there were still five seconds left before two minutes. It was entirely a case of sudden equipment failure. I have video proof. Shakib and Bangladesh have done it completely wrong. This is completely against the image of the game. I will not be able to respect Shakib and Bangladesh after today. Even the umpire should have paid attention to this. On one hand, there is talk about the safety of cricketers. If my helmet was damaged then how could I play without a helmet in front of the bowler? Shakib has brought the game into disrepute today. Never in my 15-year career has there been such an incident that tarnishes the image of the game?

Why is there controversy?

Actually, during the Sri Lankan innings, Sri Lankan batsman Angelo Mathews came to bat after Sadira Samarawickrama was out in the 25th over. There was a problem with Angelo Mathews' helmet, due to which there was a delay in taking his strike. Mathews had two minutes to face the ball first, but it was too late, after which Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan appealed for time out. The umpires discussed this matter among themselves for a long time and then declared Mathews out. The fourth umpire of the match, Adrian Holdstock, said, 'By the time the strap of Matthews' helmet broke, the two-minute period had ended.' Angelo Mathews has posted a video in its defense. At the same time, Mathews had dismissed Shakib during the Bangladeshi innings. After this, Mathews looked at Shakib and showed the clock, and indicated time out. The players of both teams did not even shake hands with each other.

What does the rule say?

According to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the rule-making body of cricket, if a batsman is not ready to play within three minutes of the fall of the last wicket, then he can be given out on the appeal of the opposition team. In ODI cricket this time is of two minutes, whereas in T-20 it is of 90 seconds.

Reactions of former cricketers on social media

Former Pakistani bowler Waqar Younis termed Shakib's appeal as contrary to the spirit of the game. At the same time, former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir wrote - 'What happened in Delhi is very disappointing.' Australian opener Usman Khawaja has questioned Mathews' time out.

He wrote- 'How can Mathews be given time out when he was at the crease and the strap of his helmet was broken? How did this time out happen? If he had not come to the crease, I would have been in favor of time out, but this is wrong. Former England captain Michael Vaughan wrote- 'Time out for helmet problem...this is new in the Cricket World Cup.' Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif wrote - Shakib must believe in victory, but not at any cost...this incident is shameful.

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