Shakib Al Hasan Suspended From Bowling in All Domestic and International Competitions

Bangladesh Allrounder Fails ICC-Accredited Bowling Action Assessment

Bangladesh star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has been suspended from bowling in all cricket competitions—both domestic and international—run by ICC-approved national federations, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed in a statement on Sunday.

This suspension follows the decision of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which barred Shakib from bowling in its domestic competitions after he was found to have an illegal bowling action during an English county match in September. Under clause 11.3 of the ICC’s regulations, such suspensions are automatically recognized worldwide across all domestic and international cricket without further formalities.

The Sequence of Events

September 2024: Shakib was reported for a suspect bowling action during his stint in English county cricket.
Early December: Shakib underwent testing at Loughborough University, an ICC-accredited testing centre in the UK. He failed the assessment, prompting the ECB to impose a suspension.
December 15, 2024: The suspension was officially extended globally as per ICC regulations.

In its statement, the BCB said:

“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been informed that national team allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has been suspended from bowling in competitions under the jurisdiction of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). As a result, Shakib is also suspended from bowling in domestic cricket competitions outside Bangladesh and in international cricket.”

Shakib will now undergo reassessment at an accredited testing centre. If his action is deemed legal following this reassessment, he will be permitted to bowl again across all formats.

Shakib’s Current Playing Status

Despite the suspension from bowling, Shakib remains eligible to play as a batter in both international and domestic cricket. He is currently participating in the Lanka T10 League for Galle Marvels but did not bowl in the last two matches, including Sunday’s game.

A Tumultuous Year for Shakib

This development marks another chapter in an extraordinary and controversial year for Shakib.

His international career remains in limbo due to his political commitments as a Member of Parliament in the now-overturned Awami League government in Bangladesh.
Shakib has effectively retired from Test and T20I cricket, and his request for a farewell Test in Dhaka was rejected amid widespread student protests.
He remains an active ODI player, though he has been absent from recent series against Afghanistan and the West Indies.

The political turmoil in Bangladesh during July and August, which resulted in the deaths of several hundred civilians—mainly students—has further complicated Shakib’s standing in cricket and public life.

Next Steps for Shakib

Reassessment: Shakib will soon appear at an ICC-accredited testing centre for a review of his bowling action.
Batting Role: Until the suspension is lifted, Shakib will continue to play as a specialist batter.
ODI Future: With Bangladesh’s ODI commitments approaching, his participation as a batter remains a key focus.

Key Takeaways

Shakib has been suspended from bowling globally following an illegal bowling action assessment.
The suspension aligns with ICC regulations and applies automatically across domestic and international competitions.
Shakib will undergo reassessment to regain bowling eligibility but remains active as a batter.
This comes amidst a turbulent period for Shakib’s cricketing and political career.