ICC World Cup 2023: Waqar Younis faces legal trouble in Bangladesh for criticising Shakib Al Hasan over time-out appeal

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Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis found himself in legal trouble in Bangladesh after its high court issued a ruling against the pace great for criticising Shakib Al Hasan on air while the B'desh skipper appealed for time-out dismissal of Angelo Mathews during the ICC World Cup 2023.

The court issued a 10-day notice to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), asking them why they shouldn't file a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to have Waqar removed from the list of international commentators in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023.

The ruling was issued by a bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Atabullah after the initial hearing of a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Waliur Rahman Khan. In a much-publicised incident, Shakib Al Hasan appealed for a time-out on Angelo Mathews, who took more than two minutes to be on the crease, therefore violating the ICC World Cup 2023 playing conditions, as the Sri Lankan batter went back to the dugout to get the strap of his helmet fixed.

While there was an on-field drama following the incident that saw Mathews reason with the umpire and Bangladeshi captain but the latter refused to change his stance. Mathews had to leave the field without playing a delivery, becoming the first international batter to be judged out in the fashion. Shakib faced widespread criticism for showing unsportsmanlike conduct as the cricket world was split.

"I didn't enjoy what I saw out there. That wasn't good for the spirit of cricket. I am old school and I think that was a lot of drama to get Angelo Mathews out," Waqar said during TV broadcast. Former Sri Lankan cricketer Russel Arnold was present with Waqar in the commentary box and made similar remarks.

Interestingly, both teams are not having the best of ICC World Cup 2023 as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are already out of the semifinal run and have a match left to play each.