Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been reported by umpires for a suspect bowling action following his single appearance for Surrey in this season’s County Championship.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has requested that Shakib undergo an analysis of his bowling action after the match against Somerset in September, where he claimed nine wickets over 63 overs in a gripping encounter at Taunton. On-field umpires Steve O’Shaughnessy and David Millns deemed his action suspect after the game.
This appearance marked Shakib’s return to the competition since his brief stint with Worcestershire in 2010-11, joining Surrey on a short-term basis as several players were on England duty.
While Shakib is not suspended, he is required to undergo testing at an ECB-approved location in the coming weeks. The development comes as a surprise given that his bowling action has not previously been questioned in his 17-year career, during which he has taken 712 wickets in 447 international matches.
A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official clarified on Monday that the issue is under ECB jurisdiction and does not impact his participation in international or other domestic cricket. However, if Shakib wishes to play future domestic matches in England, he will need to complete the testing process.
Notably, Shakib was not selected for Bangladesh’s three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. He has also opted out of returning for a farewell Test against South Africa, stating that he requires additional time to recover before resuming play.
