In a surprising development in the world of cricket, Bangladesh’s iconic all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been reported for a suspect bowling action following his brief stint with Surrey during the County Championship. The 37-year-old, known for his exemplary performances on the field, now finds himself at the center of a bowling controversy that has stirred the cricketing community.
Shakib was called upon by Surrey to bolster their squad as they faced a player shortage due to national duties calling eight of their players to represent England. Making a comeback to the English domestic circuit, Shakib played his first County Championship match since his stint with Worcestershire in the 2010-11 season. The match against Somerset saw him deliver over 63 overs and secure a total of nine wickets. Despite putting up a strong individual performance, including commendable bowling using his left-arm spin, Surrey succumbed to a 111-run defeat.
What made headlines, however, was not solely his on-field performance but the subsequent scrutiny over his bowling action. It was after the match that the on-field umpires, Steve O’Shaughnessy and David Millns, reported Shakib’s action as suspect—marking a first in his long and distinguished career stretching back to 2005. Until this point, Shakib had managed to maintain an unblemished record concerning his bowling technique. Throughout his international career, he has claimed 712 wickets from 447 matches. This impressive tally includes 246 wickets in Test cricket, 317 in ODIs, and 149 in T20 Internationals. Yet, no prior incident had hinted at issues with his bowling form.
The current scenario means that Shakib will have to undergo a formal analysis of his bowling action. For a player of his stature and with an almost two-decade-long career without such allegations, this incident raises significant questions.
. The review will determine whether adjustments need to be made to align his bowling delivery with regulatory standards.
Presently, Shakib is on a hiatus from normal cricketing duties. His earlier declarations about stepping back from playing T20 Internationals have been followed by his aspirations to play what he had hoped would be his last Test match in Dhaka—a plan that ultimately fell through due to widespread protests within Bangladesh. As it stands, his future in the Bangladesh cricket team is limited to participating in One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
Yet, as Bangladesh gears up for its upcoming cricket series against Afghanistan scheduled to begin on November 6 in Sharjah, Shakib’s name is noticeably absent from the ODI squad list. This latest development with his bowling action further clouds his immediate future in international cricket. The current squad for the Afghanistan series includes players like Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Zakir Hasan, Nazmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, and Nahid Rana. Shakib’s exclusion is a significant omission given his extensive experience and skills that have previously been pivotal in Bangladesh’s cricket achievements.
This situation not only affects Shakib’s career but also raises broader discussions within the cricket community about the scrutiny and regulation of bowling actions. It is not uncommon for players to come under such examination, but for Shakib, this is a significant and unprecedented challenge. The end result of this scrutiny could potentially reshape how he is perceived on the international stage and how he might need to adapt his playing style in the future.
Cricket fans and analysts around the world will be keenly observing how this analysis unfolds and what it means for one of cricket’s most versatile and celebrated all-rounders. As Shakib awaits the outcome, his cricket journey continues to evolve, marked now by a new chapter that underscores the complexities and challenges professional athletes may face even at the peak of their careers.
