Shakib Al Hasan had a leading hand in Bangladesh's latest win. Photo: Photosport
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan triggered a debate on the spirit of cricket before smashing a rapid 82 in their three-wicket victory against 1996 champions Sri Lanka, who were eliminated from the 50-overs World Cup on day.
The all-rounder collaborated in a 169-run stand with Najmul Hossain Shanto (90) to help Bangladesh chase down a 280-run victory target in 41.1 overs.
Charith Asalanka's 108 underpinned Sri Lanka's 279 all out after they were put into bat by Shakib, who was in the eye of a storm on an eventful day.
It was Shakib's appeal that led to Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews becoming the first player to be 'timed out' in an international match.
Put into bat, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera in the first over when Bangladesh wicketkeeper Mushfiquir Rahim flew to his left to grab a one-handed blinder in front of the first slip.
Pathum Nissanka (41) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (41) could not convert the starts but Asalanka smashed five sixes and six fours in his second ODI century to help Sri Lanka post a competitive total.
Nearly 20,000 spectators witnessed drama at the halfway stage of the Sri Lankan innings when Mathews walked out to bat after Samarawickrama's exit.
After the chinstrap of his helmet broke, Mathews waited for a new helmet to arrive before facing Shakib, but was adjudged 'timed out' after failing to take strike within the stipulated two minutes.
Angry reaction
Under the International Cricket Council's rules for the World Cup, a batter must be ready to face the next ball within two minutes of the previous dismissal and, while cutting it fine, there was no suggestion of a problem before the chinstrap on Mathews' helmet snapped as he attempted to tighten it.
When he called for a replacement, causing a delay, Bangladesh captain Shakib appealed and a furious Mathews was eventually given out.
"I hadn't done anything wrong," 36-year-old Mathews said.
"I have two minutes to get to the crease and get myself ready, which I did, and then it was an equipment malfunction.
"I don't know where the common sense went because obviously it is disgraceful from Shakib and Bangladesh if they want to play cricket like that. To stoop down to that level there is something drastically wrong.
"I still had five seconds to go after my helmet broke. I'm not talking about 'Mankading' (running out a batter at the non-striker's end) or obstructing the field, I am just talking about common sense. It is absolutely disgraceful.
"We talk about the safety of the players, but you guys tell me if it is right for me to take my guard without my helmet?"
After the game, Shakib stood by his decision.
"I feel like I was at a war so I had to take a decision to make sure my team wins so whatever I needed to do I had to do it," he said.
"Right or wrong there will be debates. But if it is within the rules I don't mind taking those chances."
Bangladesh run chase
Bangladesh lost both openers inside seven overs but Shakib and Shanto put their chase back on track.
Mathews denied Shakib a hundred, and tapped his wrist in a send-off as if to tell the Bangladesh captain it was his time to go.
Shanto missed out on a hundred too but Sri Lanka still succumbed to their sixth defeat in eight matches.
Following the team's poor performance in the tournament, the entire Sri Lankan board was sacked and replaced with an interim committee earlier on Monday.
The prevailing filthy air in New Delhi was the talking point ahead of the match between the Asian sides.
The air quality index (AQI) near the Arun Jaitley Stadium read close to 400 on Monday noon triggering speculation that the match might get delayed if not cancelled altogether.
An AQI of 0-50 is considered good while anything between 400-500 affects healthy people and is considered a danger to those with existing diseases.
Both teams had cancelled a training session in the buildup, and on Sunday, asthmatic Bangladesh cricketers remained indoors while Sri Lankan players wore masks.
Organisers installed air purifiers in the players' dressing rooms while water sprinklers were used to reduce pollutants in the air.
New Delhi has stood on top of a real-time list of the world's most polluted cities compiled by Swiss group, forcing the local government to extend the closure of primary schools until November 10.
- Reuters
