Sri Lanka Players' 'Timed Out' Celebration After Series Win Over Bangladesh

Nuwan Thushara's maiden hat-trick and Kusal Mendis' career-best 86 helped Sri Lanka clinch a three-match T20I series in a decider match against Bangladesh at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Thushara bagged a maiden over hat-trick and finished with figures of 5-20, guiding his team to a 28-run victory in the series decider. Bangladesh were bowled out for 146 in the final over. While celebrating the series win, Sri Lanka players reignited the 'timed out' controversy - an incident that involved Angelo Mathews from 2019 Cricket World Cup.

In World Cup - Mathews was timed out vs Bangladesh.

Today - Sri Lankan team doing timed out celebration vs Bangladesh after winning the T20I series. pic.twitter.com/knaR97mb1K

Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews was dismissed in a bizarre manner, having failed to make it to the pitch on time in the World Cup match against Bangladesh.

According to the timed-out rule, the batter has to make the pitch within 3 minutes (2 minutes in World Cups) of the dismissal of the previous player and be ready to face the next delivery.

While Mathews had entered the ground, he encountered some issues with his helmet, which required him to call for a replacement. In the process, the maximum allowed time had already passed.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Has decided to appeal, and according to the rules, the officials had to give Mathews out. In the process, Mathews had to depart without facing a single delivery.

The issue sparked huge controversy with experts, former and current cricketers having divided opinions.

Chasing a target of 175 runs, Bangladesh suffered back-to-back three blows in the 4th over as Thushara removed Najmul Hossain Shanto (1), Towhid Hridoy (0) and Mahmudullah (0).

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