Bangladesh’s veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been banned from bowling in all England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) competitions due to an illegal bowling action, exceeding the maximum allowable elbow extension of 15 degrees.
The 37-year-old’s action came under scrutiny during his sole appearance for Surrey in September, marking his return to the County Championship after over a decade. On-field umpires flagged concerns about his action, prompting an independent assessment.
“Shakib underwent testing at Loughborough University earlier this month, which confirmed that his elbow extension exceeded the 15-degree threshold defined in the Regulations,” the ECB said in a statement. The suspension, effective from December 10, follows the ECB’s protocol for handling suspected illegal bowling actions.
To lift the ban, the left-arm spinner must undergo reassessment and demonstrate compliance with the permitted elbow extension limit.
Widely regarded as Bangladesh’s greatest cricketer, Shakib has yet to comment on the suspension. Despite stepping away from Twenty20 internationals in September and skipping a farewell Test in October amid political unrest in Bangladesh, the former captain is expected to feature in next year’s Champions Trophy.
Shakib’s off-field controversies have also made headlines. A member of parliament for the Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, his political career faced upheaval when Hasina’s 15-year tenure as prime minister ended in August amid violent protests. Shakib previously served a two-year ban in 2019 after breaching the ICC’s anti-corruption code.
