Shakib on Illegal Bowling Action: ‘It Was Partly Intentional’

Shakib Al Hasan was suspended last November while playing his only County Championship match for Surrey, after his bowling action was deemed suspicious. Speaking on the ‘Beard Before Wicket’ podcast on Sunday, the left-handed all-rounder revealed that his illegal bowling action had been ‘somewhat intentional’.

In December last year, an independent assessment at Loughborough University identified flaws in his bowling action, after which the ECB banned him from bowling in all competitions. According to ICC regulations, the ban was also applicable to international cricket.

Shakib explained, ‘I think I did it somewhat intentionally because I bowled more than 70 overs in that match. I have never bowled 70 overs in my Test career. We were playing a four-day match for Surrey against Somerset in Taunton, and I was extremely tired.’

He added that fatigue from the Pakistan series also contributed, saying, ‘I played two consecutive Tests in Pakistan. After winning the series, I went straight into the four-day match. I thought the umpire would at least warn me the first time, but according to the rules, he had the right to do what he did. I did not complain.’

Shakib continued, ‘I failed the test. Then I watched the assessment myself and thought, “Alright, so this is what’s happening.” I had to practise for a couple of weeks to return to Surrey. They helped me a lot. After two sessions, I became normal again. Then I felt, “It’s so easy!”’

Last season, Shakib bowled 63.2 overs in that single match for Surrey — 33.5 overs in the first innings and 29.3 in the second. Earlier this year, he regained bowling clearance after passing his third assessment. However, he was left out of the Champions Trophy squad after failing the second assessment in Chennai. The board stated that he would still be available as a batter in all domestic and international formats.

Khaborwala/SS