OTD: Angelo Mathews creates cricket history with first-ever 'timed out' dismissal

At a crucial juncture in the match, Angelo Mathews was slated to come in to bat for Sri Lanka, who were at 135 for 4. As he got ready to face the challenge posed by Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, he noticed that his helmet strap was broken. Mathews promptly called for a replacement, but in the meantime, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan seized the opportunity to appeal to the umpires. He argued that Mathews was not prepared to face the ball within the designated two-minute timeframe set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules. Unfortunately for Mathews, the umpires agreed with Shakib’s perspective, resulting in Mathews being declared "timed out". This turn of events marked Mathews as the first player in the history of international cricket to be dismissed in such a manner.

The ICC’s playing conditions specify that an incoming batter must be “ready to face the ball within two minutes of the previous dismissal or retirement.” This differs from the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) three-minute rule, which governs most domestic and club cricket matches. Under the ICC rule, the umpires had little choice once the appeal was made: Mathews had exceeded the two-minute mark.

While Mathews argued he was on the pitch and prepared to play, the helmet malfunction delayed him just enough for Bangladesh’s appeal to hold. The decision prompted an emotional response from Mathews, who showed visible frustration, throwing his helmet and exchanging words with the umpires. Sri Lanka's head coach Chris Silverwood was also seen reacting intensely, showing his discontent with the strict enforcement of the rule​.

The incident quickly stirred debate among players, commentators and fans alike. Many in the cricket world saw the appeal as unsportsmanlike on Bangladesh’s part. Shakib’s choice to appeal was strategic and within his rights, but it also highlighted the tension between the spirit and the letter of the law in cricket​.

For Mathews, the timing of this dismissal was particularly unfortunate, as Sri Lanka’s hopes in the tournament were on the line. This dismissal, paired with a series of injuries to key players, dashed Sri Lanka’s already slim chances of advancing to the knockout stages. Bangladesh went on to win the match by three wickets.