Shakib Al Hasan [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x]
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been banned by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) from bowling in any form of competitive cricket. Earlier this week, the 37-year-old cricketer was banned from bowling in England by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) owing to his suspect bowling action as reported during his time at the County Championship this year with Surrey.
Shakib has picked over 700 wickets in his international career ever since he made his Bangladesh debut back in mid-2006. Despite bowling in top-flight cricket for over 18 years, his bowling action came under scrutiny for the first time in September this year, during his one-off County Championship appearance at Taunton.
Shakib Al Hasan banned from bowling, confirms BCB
In an official media release, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) stated clause 11.3 of the ICC regulations for illegal bowling action. The clause indicates that once any “National Cricket Federation suspends a player from bowling in its domestic cricket competitions”, the same suspension is then recognized and implemented by the ICC as well by all other National Cricket Federations.
Shakib Al Hasan was reported for suspect bowling action during his one-off appearance for Surrey at the 2024 County Championship season in Taunton. While the cricketer picked up nine wickets in the match, he was later asked to undergo an analysis of his action which revealed that he was exceeding the 15-degree threshold as defined in the ICC regulations.
Nonetheless, Shakib Al Hasan will continue to compete in international and all domestic competitions as a batter. Moreover, the BCB has confirmed that Shakib’s bowling suspension can be revoked if his action is cleared during a reassessment at an accredited centre.
A veteran of 71 Tests, 247 ODIs and 129 T20Is for Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan has already confirmed the impending 2025 Champions Trophy as his farewell event from international cricket.