In a surprising development during his stint with Surrey at the prestigious County Championship, Bangladesh’s iconic all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, has been reported for a suspect bowling action. The umpires flagged his action after his sole appearance for Surrey in their match against Somerset, prompting calls for a thorough analysis of his bowling technique.
Shakib, a towering figure in international cricket, stepped in for Surrey after a gap of several years. His presence was necessitated by the absence of eight Surrey players who were called up for England duty. This match marked Shakib’s return to the English county scene after last representing Worcestershire back in the 2010-11 season.
The 37-year-old left-arm spinner was a significant contributor on the field, delivering more than 63 overs and clinching nine wickets throughout the match. Despite his commendable performance with the ball, Surrey faced a defeat with Somerset emerging victorious by 111 runs. During the game, none of Shakib’s deliveries were signaled as no-balls due to bowling action concerns. Nonetheless, after the match, the on-field umpires, Steve O’Shaughnessy and David Millns, raised doubts regarding his bowling style.
This report is a first in Shakib’s illustrious career, beginning in 2005 with his domestic debut. Over the years, Shakib has been a pivotal figure for Bangladesh, amassing a staggering 712 wickets in 447 International matches, with an impressive 246 of those coming from Test matches. In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), he secured 317 wickets, while in T20Is, he has managed to pick up 149 wickets. His accomplishments have been celebrated worldwide, making this report all the more unexpected for the cricketing fraternity.
Currently, Shakib is taking a break from cricket. He had announced his retirement from T20 Internationals and had expressed a desire to play his final Test match in Dhaka, a dream that remains unfulfilled due to ongoing political protests in Bangladesh.
. It appears his involvement will be limited to ODIs in the future. However, his exclusion from Bangladesh’s ODI squad for their upcoming series against Afghanistan in Sharjah, starting November 6, raises questions about his future with the national team.
The Bangladesh team for the ODI series includes players like Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Zakir Hasan, and captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto. The squad is rounded off with experienced campaigners such as Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, and a mix of emerging talents like Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali. The bowling department is fortified with the likes of Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, and Nasum Ahmed, supported by pace stalwarts Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, and Nahid Rana.
Shakib’s illustrious career has not been without its share of controversies and challenges, yet his contributions to Bangladesh cricket have left an indelible mark. The recent report regarding his bowling action will undoubtedly be a topic of extensive discussion among cricketing circles. How he addresses and overcomes this latest hurdle will be watched closely by fans and analysts alike.
As for Surrey, having someone of Shakib’s reputation and skill set was a boost, albeit short-lived. The absence of their regular players due to national commitments presented both a challenge and an opportunity to recruit high-profile international stars like Shakib. Despite the outcome of the Somerset clash, Surrey remains in a decent position in the Championship standings, benefiting from the experience and depth players like Shakib bring, if only temporarily.
Ultimately, the future implications of this report on Shakib’s career could be significant. Pending the results of the bowling analysis, which could lead to modifications in his action or even suspensions, the outcome remains to be seen. Shakib will be hoping for a swift and favorable resolution, allowing him to focus on closing out his career on his terms rather than being marred by controversy.
