Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s star all-rounder, has been banned from bowling by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) due to a suspected illegal bowling action. The decision came after concerns were raised during matches under ECB jurisdiction, prompting an investigation. Shakib will need to undergo corrective measures and pass a reassessment to resume bowling in ECB-sanctioned competitions.
Shakib Al Hasan began his international cricket journey in 2006.
Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has once again landed in controversy. The 37-year-old southpaw, celebrated for his stellar contributions to Bangladesh cricket, has been suspended from bowling in all tournaments overseen by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
This suspension marks another setback in what has been a tumultuous year for Shakib. Earlier in 2024, he was named in a charge sheet related to a murder case amidst political unrest in Bangladesh, forcing him to miss several home matches against South Africa.
Shakib’s absence extended to what was expected to be his farewell Test series against South Africa, as protests escalated outside Dhaka. His time away from international cricket has coincided with Bangladesh’s struggles on the field, including a disappointing 1-2 ODI series loss to Afghanistan and a 0-3 whitewash against the West Indies.
Why Shakib Al Hasan has been banned by the ECB from bowling ?
Shakib Al Hasan faces further challenges as the ECB has suspended him from bowling in all competitions under its jurisdiction. The suspension came after umpires reported his bowling action for being suspect during a County Championship match between Surrey and Somerset in September.
Subsequent testing of his action at Loughborough University revealed that Shakib’s elbow extension exceeded the ICC’s permissible limit of 15 degrees. In an official statement, the ECB announced, “The Bangladesh all-rounder has been suspended after an independent assessment of his bowling action at Loughborough University.”
To overturn the suspension, Shakib must undergo a reassessment and demonstrate that his action complies with ICC regulations.
Widely regarded as the greatest cricketer in Bangladesh’s history, Shakib has amassed 14,730 runs and taken 712 wickets in international cricket. He was also Bangladesh’s standout performer in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, scoring an impressive 606 runs.