Pakistan batter Saud Shakeel became only the seventh player in first-class cricket history to be timed out. This rare dismissal occurred on the second day of the President’s Trophy final, a domestic first-class tournament in Pakistan.
Shakeel, representing State Bank of Pakistan, came to the crease late after two quick wickets had fallen. Amad Butt, captain of the opposing team PTV, appealed because Shakeel was not ready to face a delivery within the three-minute time limit.
Sources indicate that the rapid fall of wickets caught Shakeel off guard. Although he arrived at the crease, Butt’s appeal was upheld by the umpires, as Shakeel exceeded the allowed three minutes to be ready.
The most recent and high-profile timed-out dismissal was Angelo Mathews in an international match during Sri Lanka’s 2023 World Cup game against Bangladesh. Shakib-al-Hasan appealed for timed out, and it was successful.
Earlier in the innings, fast bowler Muhammad Shahzad dismissed Umar Amin and Fawad Alam on consecutive balls, putting himself on a hat-trick. Following Shakeel’s dismissal, Irfan Khan came in to bat and was bowled out on the very first ball, completing Shahzad’s hat-trick. State Bank of Pakistan’s score dramatically fell from 128 for 1 to 128 for 5 in just three balls.
Adding to the unusual circumstances of the President’s Trophy final, the entire tournament is being played at night due to Ramadan. Matches are scheduled from 7:30pm to 2:30am, with tea and dinner breaks.
Muhammad Shahzad’s hat-trick contributed to PTV bowling out State Bank of Pakistan for 205. Imran Butt, formerly an opener for Pakistan, scored 89 runs.
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