Sri Lanka’s 2023 ODI World Cup Journey Ends in Surprise Exit, as Bangladesh Secures Victory with Angelo Mathews’ Timed-Out Dismissal

The 2023 ODI World Cup witnessed a stunning upset as Sri Lanka, the champions of the 1996 World Cup, faced an unexpected exit from the tournament. With just two wins out of eight games, Sri Lanka found themselves in the eighth spot on the points table with only four points. Their recent defeat at the hands of Bangladesh was filled with drama and controversy, adding another chapter to the intense subcontinental cricket rivalry.

Bangladesh Emerges Victorious

In a thrilling contest dubbed the “Naagin Derby,” Bangladesh emerged as the deserved winners against Sri Lanka. They clinched a vital victory by three wickets and, crucially, 53 deliveries to spare, in a game played in Delhi. The margin of victory proved crucial as it propelled Bangladesh above Sri Lanka on the points table based on net run-rate.

With Bangladesh, Netherlands, and Sri Lanka all tied at four points, the race for the two remaining spots at the 2025 Champions Trophy became even more intense. England is also in contention, making the final stages of the ODI World Cup incredibly competitive.

Angelo Mathews’ Historic Timed-Out Dismissal

However, amidst the intense battle, a historic moment occurred when Angelo Mathews was dismissed “timed out” – a rare dismissal in international cricket. The incident took place during Sri Lanka’s innings when Mathews’ helmet strap malfunctioned, resulting in a delay of over two minutes between the fall of the previous wicket and the new batter being ready to face the next delivery. Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan appealed, leading to Mathews’ dismissal.

The tournament’s playing conditions state, “After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must, unless Time has been called, be ready to receive the ball, or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 2 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.”

An infuriated Mathews was sent back, and this incident added fuel to Sri Lanka’s determination for the rest of the game. However, focusing solely on this would undermine a strong all-round performance from Bangladesh, led by Shakib Al Hasan.

Bangladesh’s Solid Performance

On a batting-friendly pitch, Bangladesh elected to bowl first and restricted Sri Lanka to a below-par total of 279. While young pacer Tanzim Hasan conceded 80 runs in his ten overs, he managed to pick up three crucial wickets, including the dismissals of Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka, who scored an impressive 108.

The rest of the Bangladeshi bowlers maintained control, preventing Sri Lanka from accelerating their scoring. In the chase, Bangladesh’s Shakib and Najmul Hossain Shanto anchored a 169-run third-wicket partnership, putting their team in a commanding position.

Despite Sri Lanka’s late surge in wicket-taking, Bangladesh’s deep batting lineup and composure secured a hard-fought victory, ensuring their continued presence in the tournament.

As the 2023 ODI World Cup unfolds, cricket fans can expect more thrilling encounters and fierce competition among the teams vying for a spot in the prestigious Champions Trophy in 2025.

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