Shakib suspended from bowling in ECB competitions

The England and Wales Cricket Board has suspended Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from bowling in all competitions organised by the ECB after his bowling action was deemed illegal by an independent testing facility at Loughborough University.

The left-arm spinner was reported for a suspect action during his one-off appearance for Surrey in September in the county match against Somerset in Taunton. On-field umpires Steve O'Shaughnessy and David Millns found fault with the bowling action of Shakib, who claimed nine wickets in that game, and he was subsequently asked to undergo an analysis of his action.

"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," stated an ECB release.

"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's suspension could also translate into international cricket and also competitions held by other cricket boards. In order to resume bowling in England domestic competitions and be cleared by the ECB, Shakib will have to pass a reassessment of his action.

This is the first time in his 17-year old career, in which he has picked up 712 international wickets across 447 matches, that Shakib's bowling came under scrutiny.