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Mathews & Co. Taunt Bangladesh With World Cup 2023 Time-Out Gesture After Series Win

Angelo Mathews was timed out by Shakib Al Hasan during the 2023 World Cup (AP)Angelo Mathews was timed out by Shakib Al Hasan during the 2023 World Cup (AP)

Once a ‘Naagin Derby’, Sri Lanka’s high-octane cricketing rivalry with Bangladesh took a fierce turn at the 2023 World Cup in India after Shakib Al Hasan ‘timed-out’ legendary all-rounder Angelo Mathews.

Shakib’s gesture attracted much flak from the entire cricketing spectrum, with several fans and experts questioning the sportsmanship of the Bangladesh cricket team.

As it turned out, Sri Lankan players recently evoked their forgettable 2023 World Cup moment while they were celebrating their T20I series win against Bangladesh in front of the latter’s home crowd in Sylhet.

SL celebrate ‘revenge’ win with Time-Out gesture

Sri Lanka, under recently-appointed skipper Wanindu Hasaranga, trounced hosts Bangladesh by 28 runs in Sylhet to seal their three-match T20I series by a 2-1 margin.

Batting first in the decider, the visitors amassed 174-7 off the back of Kusal Mendis’ blistering 55-ball 86 and slog-overs impetus from Dasun Shanaka. Later in the match, fast bowler Nuwan Thushara snared a hat-trick as part of his five-wicket haul to restrict Bangladesh to 146.

As Sri Lankan players converged during the post-match presentation ceremony to collect their winner’s trophy, nearly each member of their team mocked the hosts by making a ‘time-out’ gesture. Angelo Mathews, who was at the receiving end of the 2023 World Cup controversy, also made the cheeky signal as part of the team’s ‘revengeful’ act.

With T20I series in the bag, Sri Lanka will now face hosts Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series between March 13 and March 18. Each of the three impending ODI matches will be staged at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

Sri Lanka’s month-long tour of Bangladesh will conclude with a two-match Test series between the two sides in early April.