BAN vs SL: From pollution to timed-out dismissal, netizens react to drama-filled Delhi game

This defeat against Bangladesh also confirms that Sri Lanka is out of the semi-final race of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023.

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

Delhi witnessed an enthralling game as Bangladesh successfully chased down 280 in 41.1 overs, securing a three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. Skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto played pivotal roles in making this win fairly comfortable, despite the late wickets that fell towards the end of the match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. While this defeat confirms that Sri Lanka is out of the semi-final race, what captivated fans was the drama that unfolded in India's capital.

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It was the first time the two teams did not shake hands with each other at the end of the game.

Following this, Angelo Mathews found himself on the receiving end of what could be deemed as "justice." Why you ask? It is because when Mathews came in to bat, he arrived at the crease late, prompting Shakib to appeal. As a result, Mathews was deemed timed out and had to depart without facing a ball.

In the second innings, fans witnessed Mathews, the senior Sri Lankan player, subtly pointing at his watch after dismissing Shakib Al Hasan. This gesture suggested a "time out" to Shakib, who walked away after scoring a gritty 82 from 65 balls.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, the issue of Delhi's air pollution had already made headlines. The ICC has established guidelines to address poor air quality in a manner similar to adverse weather conditions that impact gameplay and player safety, such as rain or lightning. The accepted threshold for safe play, as outlined by ICC guidelines and Sri Lanka's medical staff, is an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 200. However, this is not an absolute cutoff, and player feedback will also be taken into account.

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Prior to the game, Sri Lanka's team manager, Mahinda Halangoda, emphasized their commitment to following ICC guidance and taking the Air Quality Index into consideration. Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusinghe acknowledged the challenges posed by air quality but emphasized that they had no alternative but to play under the prevailing conditions.

The manner in which Bangladesh won the game triggered reactions on social media, especially on X (formerly known as Twitter).

This victory marks Bangladesh's first win against Sri Lanka in World Cups and the highest successful chase for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in ODIs. With this win, Bangladesh moved up to the 7th position on the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 points table, while Sri Lanka slipped to the 8th position.

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