Bangladeshi cricketer Shakib Al Hasan is banned from bowling in England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) games. This is due to his illegal bowling action, decided after an independent check at Loughborough University. This also brings up doubts about his place in domestic and international games. Shakib found trouble during a single match for Surrey in the County Championship in September. Playing against Somerset at Taunton, he boasted a strong performance, winning nine wickets. However, umpires Steve O’Shaughnessy and David Millns called out questions on his bowling legality.
A later test at Loughborough University proved that Shakib’s elbow stretched beyond the allowed 15 degrees, based on ICC rules. The ECB, after receiving this report on December 10, 2024, immediately banned Shakib. “The independent evaluation showed Shakib’s elbow extension exceeded the acceptable boundary, leading to the decision his bowling motion is illegal,” said an ECB announcement.
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ECB competitions aren’t the only ones affected by this suspension; it has wider implications. ICC rules state that if a national board suspends a bowler because of questionable actions, it’s usually enforced globally until the player successfully reassess. This could put Shakib’s future in international cricket and other domestic leagues at risk. Dr. Michael Andrews, who knows a lot about biomechanics, talked about the wider effects of such suspensions. “The ICC normally upholds these decisions worldwide. Shakib will have to change his technique and pass a reassessment, which is tough due to the technical tweaks needed.”
There’s never been a question about Shakib’s bowling in his impressive 17-year career until now. With 712 wickets in 447 matches, there’s no denying his significant impact on cricket. But, this new challenge makes people wonder how he’ll adjust to stay in the game.
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Shakib’s recent tumult includes a break from T20 Internationals, a temporary exit from the Bangladesh team during political unrest, and even some backlash for his Parliament role over cricket. But his absence in the latest tours and the much-awaited Abu Dhabi T10 League was truly felt, bringing to light his significant cricketing stature. Despite this, his short rendezvous with Surrey marked his first County Championship game since the 2010-2011 season, showing his love for playing in England.
Nonetheless, Shakib’s match contributions were eclipsed by the suspension. To lift this ban, Shakib will have to go through a thorough review process consisting of biomechanical tests. The goal is to show that his elbow movement during deliveries does not cross the legal boundary. Until that point, he is not allowed to bowl in any games organized by the ECB. Shakib has yet to comment publicly about the ban, but his reputation as a tough cricketer implies he’ll face it bravely. Industry experts are inclined to believe that Shakib possesses the grit and ability to successfully adjust his bowling style.
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