Pakistan’s domestic first-class cricket tournament, the President’s Trophy, is witnessing a historic moment as its final is being played under lights with a pink ball.
The unique decision comes as players observe Ramadan, requiring the match to take place entirely after sunset.
The contest, featuring Pakistan Television (PTV) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), is being held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
With both teams having finished the group stage level on points, the final has adopted an unusual schedule. The first session begins at 7:30 PM PKT, followed by a tea break at 9:30 PM.
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The second session runs until 11:50 PM, while play continues past midnight, with stumps being called at 2:30 AM.
The unconventional scheduling contributed to a rare moment in cricket history. SBP, positioned at 128-1, suffered a dramatic collapse as fast bowler Muhammad Shahzad claimed two wickets in two balls.
Saud Shakeel, arriving late at the crease, was ruled timed out—the first such dismissal in Pakistan’s first-class history and only the seventh worldwide.
Shahzad then completed a hat-trick, reducing SBP to 128-5 within three deliveries.
SBP struggled to recover, posting just 205 in their first innings. In response, PTV’s Muhammad Shahzad and Waqar Hussain struck centuries, helping their side reach 317. PTV continued their momentum, dismissing an SBP batter late in the day, leaving them at 37-1 at stumps.
