Image Credit- ICC
Bangladesh triumphed against Sri Lanka with three
wickets and, crucially, 53 deliveries in Delhi, adding another chapter to the
captivating rivalry between the two teams in subcontinental cricket. Bangladesh
has overtaken Sri Lanka in the net run rate points table due to their victory
margin. The three teams, along with England, are currently tied with four
points each and are competing for the two spaces left in the 2025 Champions
Trophy.
But in this game, one isolated incident eclipsed
everything else. This time, the “Naagin Derby” controversy—which has
become customary—was historic in nature as Angelo Mathews was timed out, an
uncommon dismissal in international cricket history.
The event happened in the middle of Sri Lanka’s
innings because Mathews’ malfunctioning helmet strap caused the preceding
wicket to fall more than two minutes before the replacement batsman was ready
to take the ball. Appealing was Shakib Al Hasan. There was Mathews.
According to the tournament playing conditions:
“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.”
After a furious Mathews was sent off, Sri Lanka
carried a grudge for the remainder of the match. However, concentrating only on
that would detract from Bangladesh’s and Shakib’s strong overall performance.
Bangladesh had sent Sri Lanka in to bat and restricted
them to a paltry 279 on an excellent batting surface. The young and agile
Tanzim Hasan scored 80 runs in his ten overs, mostly due to Charith Asalanka
taking him on with a 105-ball 108 that would ultimately be in vain. However, he
claimed three wickets, including the crucial ones of Pathum Nissanka and
Asalanka.
Shakib and Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 169-run partnership
at the third wicket then supported their chase, even though Sri Lanka became
the first team in this World Cup to actually struggle with the evening dew. In
addition to having trouble maintaining control, the bowlers also suffered from
a few mishandled catches.
The requirement was just 70 when the partnership was
eventually broken, but Sri Lanka continued to pick up wickets to provide an
exciting conclusion. But Bangladesh batted deep and won a hard-fought match by
remaining composed.