Angelo Mathews lashed out at Shakib Al Hasan and Bangladesh after his controversial timed out dismissal in Sri Lanka's three-wicket defeat against Bangladesh on Monday (November 6) in Delhi.
Mathews became the first-ever cricketer to be timed out in the 146-year history of international cricket, and had no choice but to walk off the field without facing a ball after being given out.
Batters are allowed two minutes to walk in and take strike after the fall of a wicket. According to the fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock, Mathews had used up his two minutes before the strap of his helmet broke.
As he signalled for help from the dressing room, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan saw the opportunity to appeal for 'timed out' which was upheld by the onfield umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Kettleborough after some discussion.
Mathews argued in the middle for a while though he had to return to the dressing room, but not before he expressed his anger by throwing away the helmet near the advertising boards in disgust.
Mathews termed the actions of Shakib and Bangladesh as 'disgraceful' and said until today (Monday) he had respect for them while adding that he did no wrong in the middle to be given out.
"I haven't done anything wrong. I had two minutes to get ready which I did but there was an equipment malfunction and I don't know where commonsense (had) gone. It was disgraceful from Shakib and Bangladesh," Mathews said during his post-match press conference.
"If they want to play cricket like that, stoop to that level, it is something wrong drastically. If I got late, past my two minutes and the law says I have to get ready in two minutes, I still had five more seconds to go. It was just pure commonsense, I am not saying (doing) 'Mankading' or obstructing the field here, It is absolutely disgraceful."
Players from both teams did not shake hands after the match as Sri Lanka were not interested in the usual post-match ritual due to the controversial dismissal of the all-rounder.
"You want to respect people who respect us. We are all ambassadors of this beautiful game.
If you don't respect and use your common sense then what more you can ask for," Mathews said on Sri Lankan players not shaking hands with Bangladesh.
"Until today I had utmost respect for him (Shakib) and Bangladesh team, obviously we all play to win and if it is within rules it is fine. But within two minutes I was there...we have video evidence. We will bring out a statement later. I am talking with proof from the time the catch was taken and then I got to the crease," Mathews said while confirming that Sri Lanka Cricket will release video proof.
"We talk about player safety. So, should I have played without my helmet on? So the umpires had a bigger job, they could have checked upstairs. Even wicketkeepers don't open their helmet. It is commonsense. It was complete equipment malfunction. In my 15 years, I have never seen a team going down to this level. Obviously umpires could have checked upstairs (with the TV umpire). I'm not saying that if I would have been there I would have won the match."
Mathews added there was a need for common sense and said lamented the fact that Shakib had the choice to not approach the umpires as he knew there wasn't any deliberate time wastage but he chose to go the other way.
"We need to have common sense, it was clearly a malfunction. I didn't pull it (strap) and break it. I was in complete shock. Unfortunately it happens with Bangladesh. I don't think any other team would do that. Shakib had the option, they knew it was not time wasting. He had the choice (to not approach the umpires) but he decided to go the other way."
(WITH PTI INPUTS)
