The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has suspended Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from bowling in all competitions organized by the ECB. The decision follows an independent assessment of his bowling action conducted at Loughborough University, which found his elbow extension exceeded the permissible 15-degree threshold as per regulations.
Background
Shakib was reported for a suspect bowling action during his one-off appearance for Surrey in a county match against Somerset in September 2024. On-field umpires Steve O’Shaughnessy and David Millns raised concerns after Shakib claimed nine wickets in the game. As a result, he underwent an independent analysis earlier this month.
The ECB confirmed that the suspension took effect from December 10, 2024, when the assessment results were received. The findings align with the ECB’s Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with a Suspected Illegal Bowling Action.
Impact on International Cricket
Although the suspension currently applies only to ECB-organized competitions, ICC regulations could extend the ban to international and domestic cricket across all member boards. According to Section 11.3 of ICC regulations, suspensions imposed by a National Cricket Federation must be respected globally, potentially sidelining Shakib from bowling internationally and in other domestic tournaments.
To resume bowling in ECB competitions, Shakib will need to pass a reassessment of his bowling action.
Career Context
This marks the first time in Shakib’s illustrious 17-year career that his bowling action has come under scrutiny. Over 447 international matches, he has taken 712 wickets, establishing himself as a cornerstone of Bangladesh cricket.
Shakib’s suspension follows a challenging period. He last played international cricket during the Test series against India in September-October. Though he planned to retire from Tests during the home series against South Africa, security concerns kept him away. Shakib has since missed several international assignments but participated in the Abu Dhabi T10 League.
Next Steps
Shakib’s suspension casts uncertainty over his participation in upcoming international fixtures and other leagues. His fans and cricket boards globally will be closely watching as he works toward clearing his action through reassessment.