Shakib Al Hasan, one of Bangladesh’s most important cricketers, is currently facing uncertainty about his participation in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. His ability to bowl in international cricket is under review after his recent bowling action failed the assessment at Loughborough University in the UK.
Shakib Al Hasan’s Bowling Action Controversy
Shakib was first flagged for a suspected illegal bowling action during a County Championship match between Surrey and Somerset. According to ICC regulations, any bowler reported for a suspect action must undergo testing to determine if their action is within the legal limits.
After the first test in the UK, Shakib was suspended from bowling in both domestic and international cricket. This led to concerns about his potential participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The Testing Process and Results
Shakib underwent further testing in Chennai to assess whether his bowling action complies with the ICC‘s guidelines. The results of this test will be crucial in determining if he can bowl in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
While the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has yet to confirm the final outcome, the team’s participation in the tournament relies heavily on Shakib‘s ability to clear this test.
Shakib’s International Career and the Champions Trophy
Shakib has not played international cricket since September 2024, due to ongoing protests in Bangladesh related to his participation. Despite this, he was expected to return to the team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Bangladesh’s squad for the Champions Trophy is yet to be announced, but the BCB has made it clear that they will wait for Shakib‘s test results before finalizing the team.
Bangladesh’s Schedule for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on February 20, 2025, with Bangladesh facing India in Dubai. The squad announcement is expected to be made in the coming days, pending the results of Shakib’s test.
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