While the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh fixture of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi had less riding on it as far as the qualification for the semifinals is concerned with both teams already out of it, both teams had ICC Champions Trophy 2025 qualification to play for when their locked horns. Eventually it was Bangladesh who came out on top, beating Sri Lanka by 3 wickets and 53 balls remaining.
However, a rare first happened during this match as Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan appealed for a timed out dismissal against Angelo Mathews. The umpire deemed Mathews out after Bangladesh refused to withdraw the appeal. And now, brother of Angelo Mathews, Trevin Mathews, has warned Shakib that fans are upset with him in Sri Lanka and he is not welcome in the country.
"We are very disappointed. The Bangladeshi captain has no sportsman spirit and did not show humanity in the gentleman’s game. Shakib is not welcome in Sri Lanka. If he comes here to play any international or the LPL matches, stones will be thrown at him, or he will have to face the annoyance of fans," Trevin told Deccan Chronicle.
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Despite the backlash on social media and several cricket experts around the world, Shakib has defended himself saying that he was well within the laws of the game and was at war. He said that he would do anything to help his team win and wouldn't mind taking such chances again.
"I felt like I was at war. Whatever I had to do, I did it. There will be debates. Today that (the time out) helped, I won't deny that!" Shakib, who also got the Player Of The Match recognition for his all-round show (2/57 & 82), said after the match.
"One of our fielders came to me and said that if I appealed, he (Mathews) would be out. The umpire asked me if I was serious. It's in the laws; I don't know if it's right or wrong," he added.