Pakistan’s middle-order batter, Saud Shakeel, found himself at the center of an unusual controversy after being dismissed “timed out” in a first-class match. Shakeel, who recently impressed with a half-century against India in the ICC Champions Trophy, was slated to bat at No. 5 for State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in a President’s Cup Grade 1 First-Class tournament match against Pakistan Television (PTV) on March 4. However, he failed to make it to the crease within the mandatory three-minute window.
Reports suggest that Shakeel missed his turn because he had fallen asleep, leading to an immediate appeal from PTV captain Amad Butt. The umpires upheld the appeal, making Shakeel the first Pakistani and only the seventh cricketer in first-class history to be dismissed in this rare fashion.
Saud Shakeel’s Unfortunate Dismissal
The incident unfolded when SBP was batting first and looked comfortable at 128-1. However, PTV’s Mohammad Shahzad struck in quick succession, dismissing captain Umar Amin and Fawad Alam on consecutive deliveries. With SBP suddenly in trouble, the next batter, Shakeel, was expected to walk in but failed to do so in time. Sensing an opportunity, PTV’s captain appealed for a “timed out” dismissal, and the umpires ruled in favor of the fielding side.
The setback further derailed SBP’s innings, and Shahzad capitalized on the moment by completing a hat-trick, dismissing Mohammad Irfan on the very next ball. SBP eventually collapsed for 205, with Shakeel’s absence adding to their woes.
Understanding Timed-Out Dismissal in Cricket
A “timed out” dismissal occurs when a batter fails to reach the crease within three minutes of the previous wicket falling. According to cricket laws, if the incoming batter is not ready to face the next delivery or take their position at the non-striker’s end within the given timeframe, the fielding team has the right to appeal for a dismissal.
If the appeal is upheld, the batter is declared out without facing a ball. Although this mode of dismissal is legally recognized, it is rarely enforced in professional cricket. Shakeel’s case has reignited discussions on the rule, making his name part of an exclusive but undesirable list of cricketers dismissed in this manner.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
