The thick Delhi air shrouded the stadium but the talking point of the day was a historic dismissal that triggered a debate on social media as Sri Lanka clashed with Bangladesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday.
In a controversial turn of events, veteran Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews, presumably playing his last World Cup became the first batter to be timed out in international cricket. He failed to get ready to face the ball within two minutes after a dismissal due to a fault in his helmet’s strap.
Bangladeshi skipper Shakib al Hasan made a clever yet sneaky appeal to the umpires, much to the dismay of Mathews. But in the gentleman’s game, a rule is a rule.
The First Innings
Bangladesh skipper Shakib al Hasan won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Lankans for a change looked in rhythm despite losing opener Kusal Perera(4 in 5b) in the first over. His partner Pathum Nissanka(41 in 36 b) tried to stabilize the innings as skipper Kusal Mendis(19 in 30b) went back quite early.
Nissanka fell prey to Tanzim Hasan Sakib’s clever bowling. At this point, Charitha Asalanka(108 in 105b, 6x4s, 5x6s) joined his compatriot Sadeera Samarawickrama(41 in 42b).
Asalanka and Samarawickrama set a fourth-wicket stand of 63 runs before the latter fell, this was followed by the infamous dismissal of veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews.
But the southpaw batter Asalanka stood his ground and braved the Bangladeshi bowling attack with some spectacular strokeplay. Asalanka went on to score a well-deserved second ODI hundred, before getting caught on Tanzim Hasan’s bowling.
Sri Lanka in the end managed to put up a competitive total of 279 runs, all out.
The Second Innings
Bangladesh started with a lukewarm response, with openers Tanzid Hasan(9 in 5b) and Litton Das(23 in 22b) going back before the team even crossed the 50-run mark. But this was the calm before the storm as the best was yet to come.
After the loss of the opening pair in the powerplay, number three batter Najmul Hossain Shanto(90 in 101b, 12x4s) and skipper Shakib al Hasan(82 in 65b, 12x4s, 2x6s), coming in at number four constructed a much needed third-wicket stand of 169 runs.
After losing the Shanto-Shakib pair, Bangladesh looked jittery as they lost back-to-back wickets in quick succession. Yet the tailenders kept their calm and made sure their team crossed the finish line.
The Result
Bangladesh won by three wickets with 8.5 overs to spare. With this Bangladesh has put the last nail in the coffin of Sri Lanka’s playoff hopes.
The Road Ahead
Both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have been eliminated. Sri Lanka’s last clash of the tournament is with New Zealand on Thursday(9th Nov ‘23). Bangladesh’s final match of this edition is with Australia on Saturday(11th Nov ‘23).
Here’s the latest look at the points table after Monday’s match:
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Points |
| India(Q) | 8 | 8 | 0 | 16 |
| South Africa(Q) | 8 | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| Australia | 7 | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| New Zealand | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Pakistan | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Afghanistan | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
| Bangladesh(E) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Sri Lanka(E) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Netherlands | 7 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| England(E) | 7 | 1 | 6 | 2 |
(Q = Qualified, E = Eliminated)