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In a bizarre turn of events, Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel became the first Pakistani cricketer to be dismissed “timed out” in a first-class match. The rare dismissal occurred during the President’s Trophy final between State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Pakistan Television (PTV) in Rawalpindi.
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What Happened?
Shakeel, who was set to bat at No. 5, failed to arrive at the crease within the three-minute time limit after the fall of the previous wicket. PTV captain Amad Butt immediately appealed, and the umpires ruled Shakeel out—timed out.
According to reports, Shakeel had dozed off, missing his opportunity to bat on time. This makes him the first Pakistani and the seventh player in first-class cricket history to be dismissed in this fashion.
How the Dismissal Unfolded
- SBP started strongly at 128/1, but a sudden collapse saw Umar Amin and Fawad Alam dismissed on consecutive deliveries by Mohammad Shahzad.
- Shakeel, the next batter in line, was not ready to take the crease within 180 seconds, violating MCC Law 40.1.1.
- PTV seized the opportunity and successfully appealed, leading to his dismissal.
- Shahzad completed a hat-trick by dismissing Mohammad Irfan on the next delivery, further denting SBP’s innings.
- SBP were eventually bowled out for 205, suffering a major setback.
What is a ‘Timed Out’ Dismissal?
According to MCC Law 40.1.1, a batter must take strike within three minutes (180 seconds) after a dismissal or retirement. Failing to do so allows the fielding team to appeal for a “timed out” dismissal, which is granted if upheld by the umpires.
The last high-profile instance occurred in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup, when Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews was controversially given out in this manner against Bangladesh due to a helmet malfunction following an appeal by Shakib Al Hasan.
Unique Playing Conditions Due to Ramadan
Interestingly, due to Ramadan, the President’s Trophy final is being played at night, with play starting from 7:30 PM IST to 2:30 AM IST, including tea and dinner breaks. This unusual schedule may have contributed to Shakeel’s untimely nap and subsequent dismissal.
This embarrassing moment will undoubtedly be a talking point in Pakistan cricket, highlighting both the unpredictability of the game and the importance of staying alert—on and off the field.
