Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan is now not permitted to bowl in any England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) competitions. This comes after a separate evaluation conducted at Loughborough University. They discovered that his bowling motion went against the ECB-mandated 15-degree elbow extension threshold. The suspension, effective from December 10, 2024, is the result of an umpire’s report during Shakib’s only outing for Surrey in the County Championship game against Somerset in September.
Shakib put up an incredible display in that match, taking nine wickets in two innings, but his actions were sent for further investigation. Shakib needs to pass an independent appraisal demonstrating that his bowling action satisfies regulatory requirements in order to be eligible to bowl again in ECB events.
The Bangladeshi all-rounder’s notable career has been going through a difficult time, and the ban adds another chapter to it. Shakib, who is well-known for his left-arm spin and ability to win matches with the bat, hasn’t participated in an international match since October 2024.
There were major political controversies in Bangladesh during Shakib’s hiatus. The 37-year-old is a member of Parliament under the now-defunct Awami League Government as a member of Parliament. Earlier this year, Shakib was criticised amid protests across the country. Many civilians were killed as a result of the protests. He skipped what was meant to be his final Test match at Mirpur and declared his retirement from T20Is amid the commotion. Shakib’s latest participation with Surrey marked his first appearance in the County Championship since 2010-11.
Given that the Taunton pitch was predicted to favour spinners, Shakib’s selection for the Somerset game was strategic. Even though Surrey lost by 111 runs, they still won the tournament, and Shakib’s bowling performance remained a highlight. Shakib is currently not signed for the English county season of 2025, and his return to competitive cricket as a bowler depends on passing an impartial review of his play. His future contributions to franchise cricket, as well as his waning influence on the global scene, are called into question by this suspension.