WATCH: Angelo Mathews’ epic send-off to Shakib Al Hasan with ‘time’s up’ celebration

The 38th match of the ODI World Cup 2023 in Delhi on November 6 has etched itself into the annals of cricket history with a series of unprecedented incidents. Among these remarkable moments, the standout was Sri Lanka’s veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews’ dramatic celebration after getting his revenge in the second innings.

In a high-stakes clash against Bangladesh, Mathews celebrated the wicket of Bangladesh’s skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, in a manner that added a unique flavour to the game. Shakib, batting on 82 runs, got a leading edge on what appeared to be a cutter, and the catch was brilliantly held by Charith Asalanka. 

Mathews, driven by the intensity of the moment, pointed fingers at his arms in a symbolic gesture, signalling that “your time’s up.” This extraordinary celebration not only ignited the atmosphere but also heightened the drama and competitiveness in the match, ensuring that this ODI encounter will be remembered for years to come.

Watch the video here:

What happened in the first innings?

The reason behind Mathews’ celebratory gesture becomes clear when looking at earlier events in the match. Mathews found himself in an unusual and controversial situation when he was timed out for taking an excessive amount of time to prepare for his batting. This is a rare occurrence in international cricket, and it unfolded after Bangladesh skipper Shakib appealed for the timed-out decision. 

Mathews had entered the field following the dismissal of Sadeera Samarawickrama but faced delays due to an apparent helmet strap issue. Reportedly, the strap of Mathews’ helmet broke as he walked out to bat. While he awaited a replacement, Shakib made the appeal, and Mathews was declared out. 

Despite Mathews’ attempts to explain the situation to Shakib and the on-field umpires, the decision was upheld by the team, leaving the umpires with no alternative. This incident not only added a layer of controversy to the match but also raised discussions on the boundaries of sportsmanship in cricket.