In once in a lifetime type of incident on the cricket field, four wickets fell in three balls during Pakistan’s President’s Trophy between State Bank of Pakistan and Pakistan Television (PTV) in Rawalpindi , thanks to a timed out controversy involving Saud Shakeel.
Saud became first Pakistan and only the seventh cricket in first-class cricket to be timed out. Saud was late to come out of the dressing room, following two dismissals in as many balls. PTV captain Amad Butt made a smart appeal after Saud didn’t take his guard within the required three minutes.
While Saud did come out to take guard eventually, PTV’s appeal was taken into consideration, and the umpires came to a conclusion that the batter was indeed late.
Umar Amin and Fawad Alam fell to Mohammad Shahzad off consecutive deliveries, leaving the pacer on a hat-trick. Since Saud was timed out, Shahzad completed his hat-trick by knocking over Irfan Khan’s middle stump.
It meant that State Bank of Pakistan went from 128/1 to 128/5 in the space of just three balls. PTV bowled State Bank of Pakistan for 205, with former Pakistan opener Imran Butt scoring 89.
Owing to Ramadan, the entire tournament is being played at night; from 7:30pm to 2.30am local time.
