Bangladesh star Shakib Al Hasan reported for suspect bowling action in County Championship

In a significant development for Bangladeshi cricket, veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been summoned by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for a review of his bowling action. This call comes after on-field umpires flagged the 37-year-old's action as suspicious during a recent County Championship match, where he played for Surrey against Somerset.

The incident occurred in September when Shakib took nine wickets over the course of the match—his first in the County Championship since his 2010-11 season with Worcestershire. Despite his performance, Somerset managed a dramatic 111-run victory, complicating Surrey's bid for a third consecutive title. Shakib bowled more than 63 overs without being directly called for an illegal action, yet umpires Steve O’Shaughnessy and David Millns noted irregularities, prompting the need for further review.

Arrangements are reportedly in progress for Shakib to undergo testing at an ECB-authorized facility, which could take place within the coming weeks. This scrutiny marks an unprecedented moment in Shakib's 20-year career, which has seen him claim 712 wickets in 447 international matches, including 246 in Tests alone. He has never before been questioned over his bowling technique.

Meanwhile, Shakib’s international commitments have been under a cloud after his recent withdrawal from Bangladesh’s Test squad for the South Africa series, citing security concerns—a decision that has led to significant public and media backlash.