Shakib's return to Bangladesh squad hinges on bowling action Test

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is waiting for the results of his second bowling action test, which he took in Chennai, India. This comes after his first test at Loughborough University in the UK showed issues with his bowling action, leading to a suspension from top-level cricket. Shakib was reported for a suspect action during a county match in England in September, which led to the suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Shakib is hoping for the test results soon, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is holding off on announcing their squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy until they receive the results. Shakib’s return is still a possibility, as BCB president Faruque Ahmed expressed his support for Shakib’s comeback. Bangladesh’s ODI captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, has also backed Shakib's return to the team.

Shakib has been away from international cricket since his two-Test series in India last year. He had been playing in franchise leagues in the UAE and Sri Lanka but couldn't travel back to Bangladesh due to political unrest and protests by students.

The BCB’s chief selector, Gazi Ashraf Hossain, shared his surprise at Shakib’s initial failure in the bowling action test. He said, "It was very shocking to hear that Shakib couldn't pass the bowling action test at Loughborough. We have to wait for the information from Chennai in a day or two."

Meanwhile, Shakib has been receiving guidance from former coach Mohammad Salahuddin to fix his action. Salahuddin, who has worked with Shakib for years, shared his thoughts on the issue, explaining that Shakib might have altered his action in an attempt to get more spin during the county match. "He was trying to impart more spin on the ball, which led him to use his upper body more. It’s natural to drive with the arms when the legs can’t provide enough strength," Salahuddin said.

Shakib's situation remains uncertain, and the BCB will make a decision once the results from Chennai are confirmed. If Shakib clears the test, he could still be part of Bangladesh’s squad for the Champions Trophy in 2025.