Shakib Al Hasan banned from bowling in international cricket

It was a body blow for both Shakib Al Hasan and Bangladesh, as the left-arm spinner was banned from bowling in international cricket and will only be eligible to play as a specialist batter until his action is cleared.

Earlier this year, Shakib had been reported for suspect action during a county championship match between Surrey and Somerset. Two days ago, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) deemed his action illegal and banned him from bowling in all ECB competitions.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed in a release that their most successful all-rounder has been suspended from bowling in all competitions run by ICC-approved national federations. He can, however, still bowl in domestic competitions in Bangladesh.

"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," the BCB said in a release, reported ESPNCricinfo.

"Should the results of this [reassessment] analysis clear his action, Shakib will be permitted to bowl in international cricket and in domestic cricket competitions under the jurisdiction of all national cricket federations.”

The development regarding the illegality of Shakib’s action is a surprising one, considering the 37-year-old had played 18 years of international cricket without coming under the chucking cloud. 

The all-rounder last represented Bangladesh in international cricket in the two-match Test series against India. Though he has not officially retired from Test cricket, the notion is that the Kanpur Test is likely to be Shakib’s last appearance in whites for the Tigers. 

He is not a part of Bangladesh’s squad for the forthcoming T20Is against West Indies, starting December 15 (Sunday).

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