'I Was at War And Had to Take a Decision to Make Sure My Team Wins': Shakib Al Hasan on Appealing For Timed-Out vs Angelo Mathews

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan didn’t shy away from admitting that he was at war on the field and took a decision to help his team ensure a win while referring to Angelo Mathews’ controversial Timed-out dismissal in the ODI World Cup match against Sri Lanka. The Bangla Tigers won the match by 3 wickets but Mathews’ dismissal was the highlight of the day at Arun Jaitley Stadi

The former Sri Lanka skipper became the first player to get timed-out in international cricket history as it was Shakib who appealed for his dismissal to the umpire, which was upheld.

Mathews failed to get ready in regulated time – 2 minutes to face the ball as the strap of his helmet was broken before he took the guard. The Sri Lankan all-rounder asked his teammate to give him a new helmet while Shakib took advantage of it and appealed to the umpire for a wicket.

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In the post-match presentation, Shakib opened up on the incident and asserted that what matters is what he did was within the laws of cricket.

“One of our fielders came to me and said if you appeal now he’ll be out. Then I appealed and the umpires asked me if I’m serious or whether I am going to take it back. It’s in the laws. I don’t know if it’s right or wrong,” Shakib said.

The Bangladesh skipper admitted that there will be debates whether what he did was right or wrong but he was at war and he took a decision which helped his team.

“I was at war and I had to take a decision to make sure my team wins. Right or wrong, there will be debates but if it is in the rules I don’t mind taking those chances,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shakib played a fine knock with the bat too and scored 82 runs off 65 balls which was laced with 12 fours and a couple of sixes. He stitched a 169-run stand for with Najmul Shanto which paved way for Bangladesh’s triumph.

“That (altercation with Mathews) helped, bit more fight, I’m 36 and normally fight doesn’t come easily but happy it did today,” he concluded.