Rawalpindi, March 5, 2025: Pakistan batter Saud Shakeel has become only the seventh player in first-class cricket history to be dismissed timed out, during the final of the President’s Trophy, a premier domestic competition in Pakistan.
Playing for State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Shakeel was late to arrive at the crease after two quick wickets fell on consecutive deliveries. PTV captain Amad Butt appealed under the three-minute rule, and the umpires upheld the appeal, ruling Shakeel out without facing a ball.
The dramatic sequence unfolded when Umar Amin and Fawad Alam were both dismissed by Muhammad Shahzad in quick succession, leaving SBP reeling at 128 for 3. Shakeel, seemingly unprepared for the sudden collapse, was still making his way from the dugout when the appeal was made.
His dismissal marked a rare occurrence in cricket history, with the last high-profile instance being Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews, who was timed out during the 2023 ICC World Cup against Bangladesh after an appeal by Shakib Al Hasan.
Following Shakeel’s exit, Irfan Khan came in to bat and was bowled first ball, giving Muhammad Shahzad a stunning hat-trick. SBP went from 128 for 1 to 128 for 5 in a matter of three deliveries.
The President’s Trophy final has already been notable for another reason: it is being played entirely at night due to Ramadan, with sessions running from 7:30 PM to 2:30 AM to accommodate fasting players.
Shahzad’s brilliant spell helped PTV bowl out SBP for 205, with former Pakistan opener Imran Butt top-scoring with 89.
The match continues under the floodlights, but Shakeel’s unusual dismissal and Shahzad’s hat-trick have already made this a final to remember.
