Angelo Mathews was given timed out against Bangladesh [X.com]
Everything might be fair in love and war, but in cricket the spirit of the game matters. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan's call to appeal for Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews' 'Timed Out' has taken the cricketing world by storm, where there are polarising views.
While Shakib's appeal falls under the MCC law, the circumstances surrounding it have not been the most ideal. Known for his confrontational behaviour, a repetitive on-field offender, Shakib is facing the wrath of former cricketers, which include former Indian pacer, Venkatesh Prasad.
Prasad, who is unfiltered in his opinions, stated on the social media platform 'X', that Shakib's action did not come as a surprise to the Indian bowler.
The former Indian bowling coach explained how Shakib's actions since 2019 have all taken a sheen away from an illustrious all-rounder.
Here's what Venkatesh Prasad Opined
"Purely on cricketing talent, Shakib Al Hasan would have been considered as one of the greats of the game. But be it being banned after the 2019 World Cup for failing to report approach, intimidating umpires, considering himself bigger than the game, it’s no surprise what he did yesterday."
However, Shakib has found support in teammate Towhid Hridoy, who reaffirmed that Bangladesh did nothing wrong in appealing against Mathews and that the dismissal is 100 per cent fair.
"We didn't go against the ICC rules. How he [Mathews] or they [Sri Lanka] will react to it, is up to them. We felt it's in the rules and we didn't do anything against the rules."
The Bangladesh captain further justified his appeal against Mathews during the post-match presentation, stating that all is fair in war.