Angelo Mathews (left) was given a Guard of Honor by the Bangladeshi team.Image Credit Source: PTI
In cricket, there is often a debate about sportsmanship. In most cases, this debate sprinkles when the fielding team dismisses a batsman in such a way, which is a very valid way according to the laws of cricket but is considered to be morally wrong and accepted against the sportsmanship. But an example of what the real sporting spirit is was presented by the Bangladesh cricket team, when it gave special respect to Sri Lankan veteran all -rounder Angelo Mathews. The same Mathews, who described the Bangladeshi team playing according to the rules.
This view was seen during the first match of the Test series between the hosts and Bangladesh cricket team in Gaul, Sri Lanka. On Thursday 19 June, on the third day of this match, the Sri Lankan team landed for batting in their first innings. When Sri Lanka’s second wicket fell on the score of 204, Mathews stepped on the field. As soon as he reached close to the pitch, all the 11 players of Bangladesh stood on both sides and started clapping. Matthews passed between them and then arrived for batting on the pitch.
Mathews gets guard of honor
The team of captain Najmul Hosain Shanto gave the Sri Lankan team and a world cricket veteran for his brilliant career. For this, everyone appreciated the Bangladeshi team. Actually, this is the last Test match of Mathews’ career. He had already announced that he would retire after this test. In such a situation, this Test was special for Mathews, Sri Lankan team and their fans. But this guard of honor of the Bangladeshi team surprised everyone and also made everyone happy.
This is Called Cricket .. #SLVBAN pic.twitter.com/agevqtq1pe
– Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88crick) June 19, 2025
There was a dispute between Bangladesh-Mathews
In fact, the recent history between Bangladesh and Angelo Mathews was a big controversy. When the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka match in the World Cup 2023, when Mathews came for batting, the Bangladeshi team appealed for a time out against him. The umpires called him out as they could not be ready for batting on time. Then there was a lot of ruckus on this. What Bangladesh had done was according to the laws, but Mathews described it against the spirit of the game and told Bangladesh to the falling team. But now this Bangladeshi team has given them a guard of honor and told them that this is the real game spirit, in which the old controversies are forgotten and respected.
