Bangladesh players extended a guard of honour to Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews as he walked out to bat in his farewell Test at the Galle International Stadium on Thursday.
The gesture occurred during the 52nd over of Sri Lanka’s first innings, with the 38-year-old Mathews making his way to the crease after Dinesh Chandimal’s dismissal. As he entered the field, Bangladesh players and match officials formed two lines, applauding the veteran cricketer in a symbolic and respectful acknowledgment of his contributions to the sport.
Visibly moved, Mathews acknowledged the tribute by raising his hand towards the Bangladeshi players before taking his position at number four. The players then dispersed to their fielding positions, allowing the game to proceed.
This display of respect was particularly noteworthy given the contentious history between the two teams, especially the controversial “timed-out” incident involving Mathews during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.
In that prior incident, Mathews had been ruled timed out after a helmet strap broke and he requested a replacement, prompting Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan to appeal, which the umpires upheld. This marked the first-ever timed-out dismissal in international cricket.
Following the World Cup episode, Mathews had publicly criticized the decision, labeling Shakib “a cheat” and seeking justice from the International Cricket Council (ICC). He had also argued that he still had five seconds remaining and could not safely face the bowler without a helmet.
Despite this controversial past, Bangladesh’s guard of honour at Galle appears to signal a softening of on-field relations, providing Mathews with a dignified farewell from Test cricket.
Mathews, who debuted in 2009, has been a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s batting line-up and has also captained the national side. His retirement signifies the end of a significant era in Sri Lankan cricket.
