Shakib Al Hasan, one of Bangladesh’s cricketing stars, has been handed a suspension by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), raising eyebrows across the cricketing world. The ECB’s decision has come as a major shock, and it could have significant implications for Shakib’s future in the sport.
What’s WRONG With Shakib Al Hasan’s Bowling Action?
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has suspended Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from bowling in all competitions falling under its jurisdiction following his bowling action being reported illegal. An independent assessment was conducted at Loughborough University, which confirmed that there were irregularities in Shakib’s left-arm spin action.
Shakib’s bowling action was questioned during his Surrey appearance in a county match against Somerset in September at Taunton. Shakib took nine wickets in the match, but on-field umpires Steve O’Shaughnessy and David Millns felt that his action was suspect. The official analysis led to Shakib’s suspension from bowling in ECB-organised events.
Official Statement On Shakib Al Hasan’s Ban
“Shakib’s action was reported by the standing umpires while he was playing for Surrey in the County Championship match against Somerset in September. Shakib completed an independent assessment at Loughborough University earlier this month, which found that the elbow extension in his bowling action exceeded the 15 degree threshold as defined in the Regulations.”
“This suspension takes effect from the receipt of the independent assessment on 10 December 2024, and follows the process set out in the ECB’s Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with a Suspected Illegal Bowling Action. Shakib is ineligible to bowl in ECB competitions until he has passed an independent re-assessment of his bowling action,” read the statement.
Impact Outside ECB-Organised Events
Although Shakib’s ban is currently applicable to competitions in the UK, the International Cricket Council’s Section 11.3 regarding the review of bowlers suggests that the ban might be applicable beyond ECB events. This means Shakib’s participation in international cricket and tournaments run by other cricket boards could also be affected.
Requirements To Resume Bowling
Returning to bowling in England’s domestic competitions, Shakib has to go through reassessment and clear his bowling action with the ECB, which will ascertain whether the action is legal or not, thus allowing him to go back to fielding.
Shakib’s Career & Recent Absence From International Cricket
This is the first time Shakib’s bowling action has come under scrutiny during his glittering 17-year cricket career. No other star, including Shakib over the 447 ODIs and 712 International wickets played so much, has seen this scrutiny. Shakib was away from international cricket from the India Test series during September to October, while rumors about a potential retirement of Shakib from Test Cricket surfaced with the Bangladesh team home tour against South Africa. Security concerns kept him out of the squad for the West Indies tour and the ODI series against Afghanistan in the UAE, though he did participate in the Abu Dhabi T10 tournament.
