Shakib Al Hasan Bowling Suspension Lifted, Bangladesh Veteran Cleared to Bowl by ECB

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Bangladesh veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has reportedly been cleared to resume bowling in the County Championship and The Hundred after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) approved his action.

Shakib was initially suspended from bowling in domestic and international cricket after the ECB deemed his action illegal during his solitary County appearance in September 2024. Umpires reported his action while he was playing for Surrey against Somerset, leading to a ban.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the seasoned campaigner can now resume bowling after facing a suspension of nearly three months. Despite a professional career spanning 20 years without prior concerns over his action, Shakib was first suspended from bowling in December after failing an assessment at Loughborough University.

Under ICC regulations, his ban was automatically enforced worldwide. A second assessment in Chennai in January also did not go in his favour, resulting in his omission from Bangladesh's squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy, which was set to be his farewell international tournament.

Determined to rectify his action, Shakib underwent a third assessment at Loughborough University on March 9. On Wednesday, he received confirmation that all 22 deliveries tested during the session were deemed legal.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) later stated that Shakib had successfully remedied his action. Shakib, who is free to return to competitive bowling, confirmed the news which marks a significant moment in his career.

"The news is right (clearing the bowling test) and I am cleared to bowl again," Shakib told Cricbuzz. The 37-year-old, however, did not confirm where he underwent the third assessment after failing them in Chennai and Loborough earlier.

The veteran all-rounder's last competitive outing was against India in the second Test at Kanpur in October 2024. Having missed out any takers in the Indian Premier League auction and the Pakistan Super League draft, Shakib could feature in Bangladesh's next assignment.

Bangladesh's next ODI assignment is an away series against Sri Lanka. Shakib, who has retired from Tests and T20Is, could return for the 50-over format after missing out on making the Champions Trophy squad due to his bowling ban.