EXPLAINED – Understanding The ECB’s Ban On Shakib Al Hasan’s Bowling Action
Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been banned from bowling in ECB-organized competitions after his bowling action was deemed illegal in tests. The 37-year-old, who has retired from Test and T20 cricket, was flagged for his action by umpires Steve O’Shaughnessy and David Millns during a one-off match for Surrey in the County Championship in September.
Shakib Al Hasan Suspended for Illegal Bowling Action
After this, an independent test at Loughborough University earlier this month confirmed his illegal bowling action. According to the report, Shakib Al Hasan will need to go through another assessment to lift the ban.
“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.”
First Time in Shakib Al Hasan ‘s Career Bowling Action Comes Under Scrutiny. But What Does The Law Says?
Although Shakib’s suspension only applies to ECB competitions, Section 11.3 of the ICC regulations for reviewing bowlers reported with suspected illegal actions states:
“In circumstances where a National Cricket Federation suspends a player from bowling in domestic cricket under its own rules, where such suspension is imposed on the basis of an analysis of the respective player conducted by an Accredited Testing Centre and in accordance with the Standard Analysis Protocols, such suspension shall be respected and enforced by the ICC in International Cricket and all National Cricket Federations in respect of domestic cricket under their jurisdiction automatically upon receipt of notice of the same, without the need for any further formality. The ICC and National Cricket Federations shall take all steps legally available to them to enforce and give effect to such decisions.”
Shakib’s suspension could affect not only international cricket but also competitions organized by other cricket boards. To resume bowling in domestic competitions in England and be cleared by the ECB, Shakib will need to pass a reassessment of his action.
This was Shakib’s first appearance in the county competition since his short stint with Worcestershire during the 2010-11 season. He chose to play a temporary role for Surrey, who were missing eight players due to international duty.
This is the first time in his 17-year career, during which he has taken 712 international wickets in 447 matches, that Shakib’s bowling action has been questioned.
Shakib Al Hasan had an impressive performance in his match against Somerset in September, taking nine wickets for Surrey in Taunton. This was his first County Championship match since a short stint with Worcestershire in 2010-11.
Since then, Shakib Al Hasan has not played any international cricket, as he chose not to return to Bangladesh for what would have been his farewell Test against South Africa in Mirpur, following protests in Dhaka.
Shakib Al Hasan has scored 4,609 runs and taken 246 wickets in 71 Tests, 7,570 runs, and 317 wickets in 247 ODIs, and 2,551 runs and 149 wickets in 129 T20Is for Bangladesh. He has not returned to his home country since the removal of the Awami League government. Currently, he lives in the USA with his family.
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