CWC 2023: Shakib Al Hasan demands 'Rule change' from ICC following Mathews controversial dismissal

Bangladesh captain, Shakib Al Hasan, is at the end of major flak as he pioneered towards the dismissal of Angelo Mathews on Monday, during the World Cup 2023 game between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Following his appeal the umpires got together and after a long discussion gave Mathews his marching orders. The decision became a subject of discussion.

3 things you need to know

• Angelo Mathews became the first-ever player to be given Timed Out
• Bangladesh won the match by 3 wickets
• Shakib Al Hasan became the man of the match for his all-round performance

Also Read | What is the 'Timed Out' rule? The mode of dismissal that sent Angelo Mathews back during BAN vs SL

Shakib Al Hasan on the dismissal of Angelo Mathews

While the debates about fair play started to reverberate after the controversial decision by the umpires, Shakib Al Hasan stood his ground and defended his action by highlighting the rules of the game. After the culmination of the game, Shakib Al Hasan narrated what transpired on the ground, and made it known that everything happened as per the rules of the game. According to ICC's rulebook, following the dismissal of a player, if the next batter takes more than 3 minutes to set foot on the ground and take his position, then he will be adjudged timed out. Something similar of the sort happened with Mathews, however, he has countered the decision by coming out with proof that he followed the rules. (Read here to know the proof that Mathews presented).

“One of our fielders came to me and said, if you appeal, the law says he's out because he hasn't taken his guard within the time frame. So, then I appealed to the umpires, umpire asked me if I was going to call him back or not, if I said he's out, then you call him back, it doesn't look good. I said I won't call him back. We played under-19 together, World Cup, so I know Angelo for a long, long time, since 2006. Yeah, unfortunate, but within the rules” said Shakib.

Also Read | Conflict between ICC and MCC over CWC 2023 rules

Shakib calls for ICC to change rules

On being asked if instances like this tarnish the fair play of the game, Shakib reverted that in that case, ICC should change the rules. 

“Well, then ICC should look into it and change the rules,” said Shakib.