Pakistani batsman Saud Shakeel became only the seventh player in first-class cricket history to be timed out. This unusual dismissal occurred on the second day of the President’s Trophy final, a premier domestic first-class competition 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 for timed out because Shakeel was not prepared to face a delivery within the allotted three minutes. The umpires upheld the appeal.
Sources indicate that the rapid fall of wickets caught Shakeel off guard. Although he arrived at the crease ready to bat, Butt’s appeal was successful as Shakeel exceeded the three-minute limit.
The most recent and high-profile instance of a timed out dismissal was Angelo Mathews in an international match during the 2023 World Cup against Bangladesh, where Shakib Al Hasan appealed.
Earlier in the innings, fast bowler Muhammad Shahzad took two wickets in two balls, dismissing Umar Amin and Fawad Alam and putting himself on a hat-trick. Following Shakeel’s dismissal, Irfan Khan came in to bat and was immediately bowled, granting Shahzad a hat-trick. Consequently, State Bank of Pakistan’s score plummeted from 128 for 1 to 128 for 5 within 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 in between.
Shahzad’s hat-trick was instrumental in PTV bowling out State Bank of Pakistan for 205. Veteran Pakistani opener Imran Butt scored 89 runs for State Bank of Pakistan.
