The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has called in Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to review his bowling action, following concerns raised by umpires during a County Championship match between Surrey and Somerset.
The umpires flagged Shakib’s action during a game in September, in which the 37-year-old took nine wickets, marking his first County Championship appearance since the 2010-11 season with Worcestershire. Despite his notable performance, Surrey lost to Somerset by 111 runs, impacting their pursuit of a third consecutive title.
Although Shakib bowled over 63 overs without receiving an official warning, umpires Steve O’Shaughnessy and David Millns observed irregularities in his action that warranted a closer look. Arrangements are reportedly underway for Shakib to undergo testing at an ECB-approved facility within the coming weeks.
This incident is a first for Shakib in his two-decade-long career, during which he has taken 712 wickets in 447 international matches, including 246 in Tests, without ever facing questions over his technique.
Meanwhile, Shakib’s recent withdrawal from Bangladesh’s Test squad for the series against South Africa, citing security concerns, has drawn significant media and public criticism back home.
