In a shocking development, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been suspended from bowling by the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after the governing body found his bowling action to be illegitimate. An independent assessment conducted by Loughborough University indicated irregularities in the left-arm spinner’s action.

Shakib's bowling action first came under the scanner during his solitary appearance for Surrey in a county match against Somerset in September, held in Taunton. The on-field umpires Steve O'Shaughnessy and David Millns were the first to observe his action firsthand and didn't particularly seem too pleased with it.

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How was the ban imposed on Shakib? 

As soon as Shakib was reported by the on-field umpires, he was required to undergo an analysis of his bowling action at Loughborough University. Over there, it was revealed that Shakib's left elbow extension was beyond the 15-degree mark as allowed by the guidelines. This development subsequently resulted in a ban as confirmed by a recent statement issued by the ECB. 

"Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been suspended from bowling in ECB competitions following an independent assessment of his bowling action. Shakib’s action was reported by the standing umpires while he was playing for Surrey in the County Championship match against Somerset in September. 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."

The statement further read that Shakib's suspension is effective from December 10, 2024, and is required to adhere to processes defined by the ECB’s Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported which primarily deals with cases of suspect bowling actions. Moreover, Shakib cannot play a role with the ball in ECB competitions until and unless he clears an independent re-assessment of his bowling action.

"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. Shakib is ineligible to bowl in ECB competitions until he has passed an independent re-assessment of his bowling action."

How will the suspension impact his international career

Although Shakib's suspension does not go beyond the jurisdiction of the ECB's domestic arena, section 11.3 of the ICC regulations states that the ban could extend beyond ECB-organised events which could negatively dent his international career and affect his participation in leagues around the world. As a first step to resuming his bowling, Shakib will need to take up a re-assessment of his bowling action and must be cleared by the ECB to bowl again.