Shakib Al Hasan banned from bowling in English cricket

English officials have banned Bangladesh's greatest cricketer Shakib Al Hasan from bowling in its competitions due to an illegal action.

The 37-year-old was reported by umpires during his one-off appearance in the County Championship for Surrey in September.

The left-armer, who was signed specifically for the top-of-the-table clash at Somerset on what was expected to be a turning Taunton pitch, took nine wickets in Surrey's 111-run defeat.

An statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board on Friday read: "Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been suspended from bowling in ECB competitions following an independent assessment of his bowling action.

"Shakib's action was reported by the standing umpires while he was playing for Surrey in the County Championship match against Somerset in September.

"Shakib completed an independent assessment at Loughborough University earlier this month, which found that the elbow extension in his bowling action exceeded the 15 degree threshold as defined in the regulations.

"This suspension takes effect from the receipt of the independent assessment on 10 December 2024.

"Shakib is ineligible to bowl in ECB competitions until he has passed an independent re-assessment of his bowling action."

Shakib, a legend of the game in his home nation, has played 71 Tests, 247 ODIs and 129 T20s for Bangladesh, taking a combined 712 wickets. He's also played for Adelaide Strikers in the BBL.

A one-day maestro, the US-based Shakib retired from T20Is and withdrew from travelling back to Bangladesh for what would have been his farewell Test in October