Top 5 Controversies of ICC World Cup 2023

The 2023 Cricket World Cup has been rife with controversies, capturing headlines and stirring debates among fans and experts alike. From unprecedented dismissals to disputed umpiring decisions, this tournament has had it all. One of the most notable incidents was Angelo Mathews' historic 'timed-out' dismissal. But this is just one of several contentious moments that have marked the tournament. Let's delve into the top five controversies that have defined the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

Angelo Mathews' Historic 'Timed-Out' Dismissal

In a never-before-seen incident in international cricket, Angelo Mathews of Sri Lanka faced a 'timed-out' dismissal for being late to the crease. This occurred during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in a match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, on November 6. Mathews was due to bat following the fall of Sadeera Samarawickerama’s wicket. However, the World Cup's playing conditions, which override the standard laws of cricket, stipulate that a batter must be ready to face the next delivery within two minutes of the previous wicket falling.

Mathews exceeded this timeframe, taking more than three minutes to prepare for his first ball. Consequently, upon appeal, he was declared out, marking the first instance in the history of international cricket, for both men and women, where a player was dismissed under the 'timed out' rule.

Controversy Over Non-Wide Call in Virat Kohli’s Century Chase

In a match that will be remembered for its controversial umpiring decision, Indian batsman Virat Kohli scored his first century of the World Cup against Bangladesh. The moment of contention arose when Kohli, needing three runs to complete his century and India just two runs short of victory, faced a delivery from Bangladesh spinner Nasum Ahmed. Ahmed's ball, directed on the leg side, bypassed Kohli as he altered his stance, and it passed through to the wicketkeeper. This led to visible frustration from Kohli, as there was a widespread perception that Ahmed had intentionally bowled down the leg side to prevent Kohli from achieving his 48th ODI century.

However, umpire Richard Kettleborough did not signal a wide. Despite the controversy, Kohli managed to reach his century mark with a six, rendering the debate over the wide call moot in terms of the game's outcome. Nevertheless, this incident sparked a significant uproar online, with cricket fans and analysts divided, some supporting and others criticizing the umpire's decision. This moment underscored the subjective nature of cricket's wide ball rulings and their potential impact on significant milestones in the game.

Controversial DRS Decision in Pakistan-South Africa World Cup Clash

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 witnessed a nail-biting match at the M A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where South Africa narrowly defeated Pakistan by one wicket. This match was pivotal for Pakistan's semi-final aspirations, especially after their victory over New Zealand and with England awaiting their final match. However, due to the intricacies of the net-run rate, a simple win was not sufficient for Pakistan to secure a semi-final spot.

The drama peaked when South Africa, chasing 271, was teetering at 260/9. With 11 runs needed and just one wicket remaining, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi were at the crease. Pakistan's Haris Rauf, after dismissing Lungi Ngidi, struck Shamsi on the pads, leading to an immediate appeal. To the naked eye, it appeared to be an out, but the umpire disagreed. Pakistan's review led to an 'umpire's call' on hitting the wickets, implying that an initial out decision would have handed Pakistan the win.