In what could be termed a controversial turn of events, Sri Lankan middle order Batsman and ex-captain of the Island nation became the first player in international cricket to be ‘Timed Out’ during the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket 2023 World Cup.

The article will discuss this controversy and whether Shakib was right to appeal for ‘Timed Out’.

Presented By: Raghunath Nair

Sri Lanka was playing against Bangladesh in the round-robin stage of the ICC Men’s Cricket 2023 World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.

Sri Lanka was on course to register a good First-innings score when Angelo Mathews came into bat after Shakib Al Hasan had dismissed Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made a 42-ball 41.

After reaching the pitch and preparing to take guard to face his first delivery, Angelo Mathews realized that the strap of the batsman’s helmet was broken.

Angelo Mathews immediately called for a replacement and the intermittent time taken for the batsman to get ready after the replacement prompted the Bangladeshi Captain, Shakib Al Hasan to appeal for ‘Timed Out’.

What seemed to pass as a joke initially to the crowd, turned serious when Shakib Al Hasan stood by his appeal even after due prompting from the umpires on whether the Bangladesh captain was “serious” and if he wanted to withdraw his appeal.

When the message was passed to the Sri Lankan veteran, he went to the Bangladesh Captain to explain the faulty helmet issue.

Shakib Al Hasan didn’t budge and there was nothing the umpires could do but give the batsman out for ‘Timed Out’. The Batsman was out without even facing a ball at the striker’s end.

A furious Angelo Mathews had to go back and looked confused and helpless.

Timed Out: What does the Law say?

MCC Rule Book

40.1 Out Timed out

40.1.1 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 3 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.

40.1.2 In the event of an extended delay in which no batter comes to the wicket, the umpires shall adopt the procedure of Law 16.3 (Umpires awarding a match).  For the purposes of that Law the start of the action shall be taken as the expiry of the 3 minutes referred to above.

40.2 Bowler does not get credit

The bowler does not get credit for the wicket.

MCC Rule states 3 minutes for the incoming batsman unless Time has been called, to be ready to receive the ball or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball.

If this requirement is not met, the incoming batsman can be given out as ‘Timed Out’.

ICC rule for the ODI World Cup 2023 Playing Conditions was kept at 2 minutes instead of 3 minutes.

While Angelo Mathews is the first international player to be given out in this manner, Six First class cricketers have been given out ‘Timed Out’ in the past.

While the game itself would have made no difference to the final top 4 position in the points table, it still was an International ICC Game and a World Cup Match.