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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has officially suspended Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from bowling in its tournaments after his bowling action was deemed illegal. The decision follows an independent assessment at Loughborough University earlier this month, as reported by international media on Friday.
Table of content
Assessment Findings and Suspension
- Illegal Action: Shakib’s bowling action was found to be illegal during testing conducted at Loughborough University.
- Effective Date: The suspension is effective from December 10, the day the ECB received the assessment results.
- Reassessment Required: Shakib must undergo and pass another independent reassessment to lift the ban.
The suspension bars Shakib from bowling in all ECB-organized tournaments until his action is deemed compliant with cricket regulations.
Umpire Report and Background
The issue arose during Shakib’s one-match County Championship stint for Surrey in September.
- On-field umpires Steve O’Shaughnessy and David Millns reported Shakib’s bowling action as suspect during the game.
- Despite the scrutiny, Shakib delivered exceptional figures of 9/193 in the match but couldn’t prevent Surrey’s defeat to Somerset by 111 runs.
Career Implications
This is the first time in Shakib’s illustrious two-decade career—featuring 712 wickets in 447 matches—that his bowling action has come under formal investigation.
Additionally, Shakib’s international career has faced turbulence:
- He withdrew from Bangladesh’s home Test series against South Africa citing security concerns.
- He was omitted from the ODI squad for the recently concluded West Indies series.
BCB’s Perspective
Despite the challenges, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruque Ahmed has reaffirmed Shakib’s importance to the national team:
“It’s certainly a challenge for Shakib to play for Bangladesh while he is away from the country. For now, he remains part of our strategy for the Champions Trophy scheduled for February and March next year.”
Shakib’s participation in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 now hinges on resolving his bowling suspension and his availability for Bangladesh’s matches.
What’s Next for Shakib?
As the suspension clouds his immediate playing opportunities, Shakib’s focus will be on correcting his bowling action and passing the reassessment. Fans and the cricketing fraternity await updates on the future of one of Bangladesh’s most iconic players.
