Mohammad Kaif feels Angelo Mathews was wrongfully ruled out of Sri Lanka’s World Cup match against Bangladesh in 2023.
As the Lankan Lions set the Bangla Tigers a 280-run target in Delhi on Monday, Mathews was adjudged ‘timed out’ before facing a delivery. Bangladesh won the game by three wickets and 53 deliveries to move up to sixth place in the points standings.
On Star Sports, Mohammad Kaif called Mathews’ firing a “horrible incident.” He went on to say:
“I will say that it was an extremely shameful incident, whatever Shakib did. The rules might say anything. He came running in to bat. He didn’t have any intention to waste time or stop the game. He pulled the strap and it broke.”
“If you see the two minutes that are being shown, he had reached the crease 10 seconds before. He was standing there after one minute and 50 seconds. Yes, he did not take the guard. You can bat without taking guard, that is allowed. It is up to the batter.”
Mohammad Kaif
Mathews came out to bat after Sadeera Samarawickrama was bowled out by Shakib Al Hasan. Despite arriving to the crease barely in time, he accidently snapped his helmet strap while adjusting it and sought for a replacement without first seeking permission from the umpires. Following an appeal by Bangladesh’s captain, he was handed a “time out.”
Mohammad Kaif Questions Umpire’s Terrible Judgment on Mathews’ Dismissal
Mohammad Kaif believes that the on-field umpires should not have considered Shakib Al Hasan’s appeal. He stated:
“There was no intention to cheat. I feel it was an extremely bad decision by the umpire, that he entertained Shakib’s appeal. (Najmul Hossain) Shanto was standing behind and was repeatedly egging him on. Shanto first spoke to the umpire and then Shakib appealed.”
Mohammad Kaif
Angelo Mathews was justified in expressing his rage, according to the cricketer-turned-commentator. He stated:
“He (Mathews) was right in getting angry. There is a two-minute rule but the two minutes hadn’t elapsed. It was a wrong call from Shakib. You will micromanage every game now, that you should check the watch if someone’s laces get untied.”
Mohammad Kaif
In the post-match presentation, Shakib confessed that a fellow fielder had persuaded him to appeal. He went on to say that he told the umpires he was serious when appealing because he thought he was in a combat zone.