Historic Timed-Out Dismissal Mars President’s Trophy Final
In a dramatic twist during the President’s Trophy 2024 final, Pakistan batter Saud Shakeel became only the seventh player in first-class cricket history to be dismissed timed out. The rare incident, coupled with a sensational hat-trick by Muhammad Shahzad and a Ramadan-driven nocturnal schedule, has turned the domestic final into a global talking point.
The Incident: How Saud Shakeel’s Delay Cost Him
- Context: State Bank of Pakistan, chasing a competitive total, collapsed from 128/1 to 128/5 in three balls.
- Trigger: Fast bowler Muhammad Shahzad dismissed Umar Amin and Fawad Alam off consecutive deliveries, setting up a hat-trick opportunity.
- Timed-Out Drama:
- Shakeel, next in line, failed to reach the crease within the mandated three minutes after the fall of the second wicket.
- PTV captain Amad Butt appealed, and umpires upheld the dismissal under Law 40.1 (“Timed Out”).
- Shakeel’s exit marked the first timed-out dismissal in Pakistani domestic cricket and the seventh in first-class history.
Key Quote:
“ESPNcricinfo understands the rapid loss of two wickets left Shakeel unprepared, delaying his walk to the crease.”
Aftermath: Shahzad’s Hat-Trick & State Bank’s Collapse
Shakeel’s dismissal opened the floodgates:
- Irfan Khan, the new batter, was bowled first ball by Shahzad, completing a hat-trick.
- State Bank crumbled to 205 all out, despite a gritty 89 from former Pakistan opener Imran Butt.
Muhammad Shahzad’s Spell:
- Figures: 4/52, including the hat-trick.
- Impact: His fiery pace exploited the night-time conditions, with dew aiding swing.
Ramadan Reshapes Cricket: Night Matches in Pakistan
The President’s Trophy adopted a radical schedule to accommodate Ramadan:
- Match Timings: 7:30 PM to 2:30 AM (with tea and dinner breaks).
- Player Challenges: Fasting during daylight hours, then adapting to nocturnal games.
- Fan Engagement: Matches drew record late-night TV viewership, though stadium attendance dipped.
PCB Statement:
“Respecting religious obligations while maintaining cricketing integrity was our priority. The night experiment may inspire future tournaments.”
Timed-Out Dismissals: A Rare Cricket Phenomenon
Shakeel’s dismissal echoes Angelo Mathews’ 2023 World Cup controversy, where Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan triggered the first-ever international timed-out dismissal.
First-Class Timed-Out Instances:
- Hemulal Yadav (India, 1983)
- Vasbert Drakes (West Indies, 1997)
… - Saud Shakeel (Pakistan, 2024)
Why It’s Rare: Batters usually prepare proactively, but chaotic collapses (like 2 wickets in 2 balls) test readiness.
- “Saud Shakeel timed out President’s Trophy”
- “Muhammad Shahzad hat-trick 2024”
- “Ramadan night cricket Pakistan”
- “First-class timed-out dismissals”
- “PTV vs State Bank final highlights”
What’s Next?
- PTV’s Title Charge: With State Bank dismissed for 205, PTV eyes a first-innings lead.
- Broader Debate: Should the “timed-out” rule be revised for collapse scenarios?
Fan Reaction:
- Twitter erupted with #TimedOutShakeel, split between backing the rule and calling it harsh.
- Former player Basit Ali criticized Shakeel: “Top players must anticipate quick wickets.”
