Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been barred from bowling in competitions under the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following an assessment that deemed his bowling action illegal. The 37-year-old spinner had been a key player for Surrey, contributing significantly in the County Championship match against Somerset despite his side’s loss.
Shakib’s Impact in County Cricket
Shakib was brought into Surrey’s squad for a crucial encounter against Somerset on a spin-friendly pitch in Taunton. Despite Surrey’s 111-run defeat, the left-arm spinner impressed with nine wickets across both innings. Surrey went on to secure the County Championship title, though Shakib’s action came under scrutiny during the match.
ECB Statement on Suspension
The ECB released a statement confirming Shakib’s suspension following an independent assessment of his bowling action:
“Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been suspended from bowling in ECB competitions after an independent assessment of his bowling action.
“Shakib’s action was reported by match officials during Surrey’s County Championship match against Somerset in September. He underwent an independent assessment at Loughborough University earlier this month, which revealed that the elbow extension in his bowling action exceeded the permissible 15-degree limit defined by the regulations.”
The suspension became effective immediately upon receipt of the assessment results on December 10, 2024.
Conditions for Reinstatement
Shakib remains ineligible to bowl in ECB competitions unless he undergoes a successful re-assessment to verify that his action complies with the regulations. Notably, the all-rounder has not signed a county contract for the 2025 season.
A Stellar Career Under Cloud
Shakib Al Hasan is one of Bangladesh’s most celebrated cricketers, with an illustrious international career spanning over a decade. Across 71 Tests, 247 ODIs, and 129 T20Is, he has taken a total of 712 wickets. However, this setback adds to the challenges faced by the veteran spinner as he works to resolve his bowling action issues.
The cricketing fraternity will now await Shakib’s next steps, as his contributions with the ball remain vital to any team he represents.
