![Saud Shakeel misses wicket saving opportunity [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1787155424268_SaudShakeelmisseswicketsavingopportunity.jpg?type=hq)
Saud Shakeel misses wicket saving opportunity [Source: X]
The Pakistan cricket team have started their campaign in England with the first Test at Headingley on August 19. Amid interruptions caused by rain, the Men in Green found themselves in a disappointing position, with seven wickets down for 150 runs before the tea break.
As the team struggled, adding to their woeful run and controversial decisions, Saud Shakeel, the team's No. 5 batter, gave away his wicket after a lack of decision-making on the field.
Confused Saud Shakeel Ignores DRS Review
In the 36th over, Ollie Robinson was bowling to Shakeel, who had come out to bat and was playing decently, scoring five runs off 24 deliveries.
As Shakeel faced the fifth delivery of the 36th over, Robinson pitched a good-length delivery that angled into the stumps from around the wicket. As Shakeel leaned forward to push it straight, he missed the line of the ball and was beaten on the inside edge, with the ball striking him on the front pad.
The England cricket team immediately launched a huge appeal for LBW, and umpire Allahudien Paleker took his time before raising his index finger and signalling Shakeel out.
It was then that Saud Shakeel struggled to make a decision, with the DRS review window running out. The non-striker, Abdullah Shafique, was also unable to provide any input to his batting partner.
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Saud's Mistake Costs Him His Wicket
Unfortunately, even after having a lengthy discussion with Shafique, Shakeel was still in a dilemma over whether to take the DRS review. He took too long to decide, and the review time ran out. As a result, he could not ask for the review and had to walk off the field.
Later, ball-tracking showed that although the ball had pitched outside off stump, the considerable height and bounce meant that Shakeel was actually not out.
Watch the video below:
With Salman Ali Agha, the captain for the first Test, coming in to bat next, Pakistan were in serious trouble. Now, with Mohammad Rizwan currently unbeaten at the crease, the top and middle order have almost crumbled as the Men in Green struggle at Leeds..
Saud Shakeel's Decision Could Have Saved The Team and Himself In ENG vs PAK 1st Test
Had SSaud hakeel calmly asked for the DRS review in time, he would have saved his wicket, which could have helped Pakistan reach a stronger position and build a competitive first-innings total at Leeds.
Among Pakistan's batters, only Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique managed to post notable scores of 42 and 61, respectively.
Shakeel's survival in that situation would have been very helpful for the team and for the batter himself, especially considering his poor run of form during Pakistan's Test series against Bangladesh, where he averaged just 7.25 across four innings.
Prior to that, in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025, Saud Shakeel was also not particularly productive, averaging 32.90 across the tournament while picking up one wicket.
Nevertheless, after a disappointing outing with the bat, Saud Shakeel will now be left to prove himself if he is given an opportunity with the ball during England's first innings.
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