ECB Suspended Shakib Al Hasan: The year 2024 was nothing special for Bangladesh’s experienced all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. First he faced some issues in his country, then no franchise bought him in the mega auction of IPL 2025. Now Shakib Al Hasan has been banned by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) from bowling in all its competitions. This decision was taken after his bowling action was found illegal. An independent investigation conducted at Loughborough University found that his elbow flexed more than the prescribed 15 degrees.
Shakib Al Hasan’s bowling action came under question while playing a county match for Surrey against Somerset in September. He performed brilliantly in that match and took 9 wickets. However, on-field umpires Steve O’Shaughnessy and David Milnes raised doubts over his action, after which it was sent for investigation.
According to the ECB, “Shakib completed the testing process at Loughborough University, in which the inclination of his bowling action was found to exceed the prescribed limit. On this basis, his bowling ban will come into effect from 10 December 2024.”
This suspension is not limited to ECB competition only. According to ICC rules, if a player is banned by his national board for illegal bowling action, this ban can also be effective in international cricket and competitions run by other boards.
It is noteworthy that this is the first time in his 17-year career that Shakib Al Hasan’s bowling action has been declared illegal. This all-rounder, who took 712 wickets in 447 international matches, recently played a Test series against India. After this he remained out of the series against Afghanistan and West Indies.
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