Bangladesh’s star all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, has been suspended from bowling in all competitions governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after exceeding the maximum allowed elbow extension of 15 degrees. The 37-year-old’s bowling action came under scrutiny during his one-off appearance for Surrey in September, marking his first County Championship game since the 2010-11 season. Following suspicions raised by the on-field umpires, Shakib was asked to undergo an independent assessment.
The ECB confirmed that Shakib’s test, conducted at Loughborough University earlier this month, revealed his elbow extension exceeded the threshold. The suspension, which officially began on December 10 upon receipt of the assessment report, follows the ECB’s regulations for handling suspected illegal bowling actions.
Shakib, widely regarded as Bangladesh’s greatest cricketer, could not be immediately reached for comment. To lift the ban, Shakib must undergo a re-assessment and demonstrate that his bowling action now meets the legal requirements.
In recent months, Shakib has been at the center of controversy, particularly due to political unrest in Bangladesh. He retired from Twenty20 internationals in September and declined to play in a farewell Test match against South Africa in October. Despite these issues, he is expected to participate in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Shakib’s career has not been without its challenges. In 2019, he was handed a two-year ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after being found guilty of breaching their anti-corruption code. Off the field, Shakib had also been involved in politics, serving as a member of parliament for the Awami League party, led by the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India following deadly protests in August.
