Angelo Mathews on Shakib Al Hasan and Bangladesh – ‘Never seen a team or a player stoop so low’

It was “unfortunate” his helmet strap broke in a match against Bangladesh because he doesn’t think “any other team would do that”, he added.

The ICC’s playing conditions stipulate that the new batter must be “ready to receive the ball” within two minutes of a dismissal. The helmet strap broke about one minute and 55 seconds after Samarawickrama’s catch was completed, just as Mathews was going through his final preparations to face Shakib – though he hadn’t taken his guard yet.

“It was obviously disgraceful from Shakib and Bangladesh,” Mathews said. “If they want to take wickets like that and stoop down to that level, there’s something wrong, drastically.

“It’s very disappointing way that Bangladesh played. If it was mankading or obstructing the field, there’s no issue. Within two minutes I was at the crease, and it was when I was at the crease that my helmet broke. The umpires saw this. I still had five seconds left. After I showed my helmet, the umpires said [Bangladesh] had appealed. So I asked where common sense was because my two minutes hadn’t passed.

“Unfortunately [the strap breaking] happened against Bangladesh. I don’t think any other team would do that, because it was black and white. It was equipment malfunction”

Angelo Mathews

“I’ve got no words to explain it. In my 15 years of playing I’ve never seen a team or a player stoop so low.

“Unfortunately [the strap breaking] happened against Bangladesh. I don’t think any other team would do that, because it was black and white. It was equipment malfunction. It was a safety issue as well. We know that without a helmet I can’t face the bowling.”

When asked about the incident after the match, Shakib mentioned that he had known Mathews since they had played Under-19 cricket against each other, but stressed said that “rules are rules”.

Mathews said his view of Shakib had changed in light of the controversy.

“Up to today, I had utmost respect for him and the Bangladesh team,” Mathews said. “You all play to win. If it’s within the rules, it’s clearly fine. But in my incident today, within two minutes I was clearly there. We have video evidence and we’ll put out a statement later on – I’m not just coming and saying things here. I’m talking with proof. From the time the catch was taken to the time I walked into the crease I still had five seconds after breaking my helmet.”

The umpires gave Shakib the opportunity to withdraw his appeal after Mathews explained to them and to Shakib that his helmet strap had broken. But Shakib did not withdraw.

“Yes, Shakib had the option of [withdrawing appeal]. He knew that this was not time-wasting and I was there within my time. I wasn’t trying to waste time or get an advantage.”

“You need to respect people who respect us,” Mathews said about the Sri Lankans not shaking hands with their opponents. “They have to respect the game itself.

“We all are ambassadors of this beautiful game, including the umpires. If you don’t respect and you don’t use your common sense, what more can you ask for?”