Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is banned from bowling in all top-class cricket (national and international) following a recent independent review of his bowling performance. The suspension, which the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Sunday, constitutes a compulsory ICC sanction as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) first banned him this month.
According to an independent report from Loughborough University, an ICC-registered biomechanics laboratory, Shakib’s elbow extension was higher than the 15-degree maximum allowed by the ICC for bowling in official matches.
On 10 December, the ECB expelled Shakib from its competitions. This early ruling automatically issued an overall suspension under ICC’s clause 11.3, which stipulates that any national federation’s ruling on suspect activities is to be recognized and applied in all ICC-governed international tournaments, and by other national cricket boards.
“The ECB has advised that national team all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been banned from bowling under the jurisdiction of the BCB,” the BCB statement reads. Therefore, Shakib is also expelled from the bowling in domestic cricket outside Bangladesh and international cricket,” the BCB said in a statement.
Shakib now has a tough road of redemption ahead. His action will have to be retested at an ICC testing center in order to re-examine it, the BCB said. If these further tests rule his action legitimate, Shakib will be allowed to bowl again in all formats and tournaments around the world.
Shakib, for now, can play as a batter both in domestic and overseas cricket. But losing the bowling half of his game takes away a good deal of his overall impact as an all-rounder in a sport that is one of the world’s most prolific.
This suspension comes during an already tumultuous time in Shakib’s rich but troubled career. The all-rounder, who has featured in more than 400 international matches and bagged 712 wickets, has been involved in controversy for the past year. As a Member of Parliament in Bangladesh’s Awami League government, he was accused of politicizing his cricket commitments. In the midst of massive protests and political riots earlier this year, he announced his retirement from T20Is, and a farewell Test in Dhaka was cancelled due to civil commotions.
These off-field distractions haven’t kept Shakib out of action in ODIs and other franchise competitions. He has just featured in Lanka T10 matches despite not bowling in his last two appearances for Galle Marvels.
This ban tarnishes Shakib’s chances of playing international cricket as an all-rounder. For Bangladesh, his bowling support is an immense loss, especially in big tournaments and bilateral series where his bowling expertise is often a vital component.
As cricket analyst Dr Andrew Patel described the urgency of the situation: “Shakib’s absence as a bowler will throw off Bangladesh’s stability in the playing XI and could prompt the team to consider an overhaul. It’s a devastating loss, for the team and for Shakib himself.”
The suspension’s automatic enforcement by the ICC ensures there are no misunderstandings regarding the legitimacy of rules taken towards illegal bowling action but, at the same time, makes clear how high a standard modern cricketers are required to meet. Shakib is now faced with a formidable task – not just to right his wrong, but to make himself right.
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