Shakib Al Hasan, the veteran Bangladeshi all-rounder, spoke candidly about the circumstances surrounding his bowling suspension in an appearance on the Beard Before Wicket podcast on Sunday. The 36-year-old revealed that his unusual bowling action during a County Championship match for Surrey last November was “somewhat intentional,” shedding new light on the controversy that sidelined him from competitive cricket.
Following the match against Somerset at Taunton, an independent assessment conducted at Loughborough University in December confirmed technical flaws in Shakib’s bowling action. Consequently, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) imposed a ban on him from bowling in all domestic competitions. Under International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations, this sanction also applied to international cricket, temporarily halting one of Bangladesh’s most influential cricketers.
Reflecting on the Taunton encounter, Shakib admitted, “I bowled over 70 overs in that match. I have never bowled so many overs in my Test career. I was exhausted during the four-day match.” He attributed part of the problem to accumulated fatigue from Bangladesh’s preceding series against Pakistan, which had left his body under considerable strain.
Shakib also outlined his rehabilitation process, noting, “I failed the test and later reviewed it myself. I had to work for a couple of weeks to return to Surrey. They supported me well. Two sessions were enough to get back to normal, and then I realised how simple it was.” His persistence paid off, as he successfully passed a third assessment earlier this year, regaining permission to bowl. However, an earlier failure in Chennai meant he was excluded from Bangladesh’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy.
The following table summarises Shakib’s bowling workload and assessments during this period:
| Match / Series | Overs Bowled | Assessment Outcome | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surrey vs Somerset | 63.2 | Failed initial assessment | ECB ban from bowling |
| Post-ban rehabilitation | N/A | Self-review & sessions | Returned to bowling |
| Third assessment 2025 | N/A | Passed | Cleared to bowl competitively |
| Chennai assessment | N/A | Failed | Omitted from Champions Trophy |
Shakib’s openness about the incident highlights the physical and mental toll on professional cricketers and underscores the importance of proper workload management. It also illustrates how even seasoned players can face challenges with technique and endurance, yet return to form with focused effort and institutional support.
