Bangladesh’s veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been cleared to bowl again after successfully passing a reassessment test for his bowling action.
This significant development comes after months of scrutiny and controversy surrounding his bowling technique, which had led to his suspension from bowling in both domestic and international cricket.
Background on the Bowling Action Controversy
Shakib’s bowling action first came under the spotlight during a County Championship match for Surrey against Somerset in September 2024.
Following a report from on-field umpires, an independent assessment conducted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) deemed his bowling action illegal, resulting in an automatic suspension from all ICC-approved competitions.
Subsequently, Shakib underwent two reassessments—one in England and another in India—both of which he failed, further extending his ban from bowling.
As a result of these failures, Shakib was not included in Bangladesh’s squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, as selectors opted not to pick him solely as a specialist batter.
This exclusion was particularly disappointing for Shakib, who had earmarked the tournament as a potential farewell to international cricket.
Successful Reassessment
In a turn of events, Shakib passed his third reassessment test conducted in England. He confirmed this news himself, expressing relief and happiness at being cleared to bowl again.
“The news is right (about passing the bowling test) and I am cleared to bowl again,” he stated, signaling a positive shift in his cricketing career.
This successful assessment not only lifts the suspension but also allows Shakib to participate fully in upcoming international matches, restoring his role as a key player for Bangladesh.
Shakib’s Career Statistics
Shakib Al Hasan is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. His impressive statistics include:
- Test Matches: 71 matches, 4,609 runs at an average of 40.28, and 246 wickets.
- ODIs: 247 matches, 7,570 runs at an average of 36.66, and 317 wickets.
- T20Is: 129 matches, 2,551 runs at an average of 24.38, and 149 wickets.
These numbers highlight his dual threat as both a batsman and bowler, making him an invaluable asset to the Bangladesh team.
