Shakib Al Hasan Admits Illegal Bowling, Reverses Retirement

DHAKA: Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, known both for his on-field brilliance and frequent controversies, has ignited fresh debate after admitting he intentionally bowled with an illegal action during a county match in England. Speaking on the YouTube podcast Beard Before Wicket, Shakib discussed his time with Surrey and revealed that extreme fatigue led him to alter his action during a match against Somerset in Taunton. He acknowledged bowling over 70 overs in the game — more than he had ever done before — and said he “deliberately bowled with some illegal action,” as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

His admission comes just months after the ICC cleared his bowling action in March 2025, following earlier concerns. Previously, in December 2024, he had been banned from bowling in all ECB competitions for exceeding the 15-degree elbow extension limit. Shakib added that although he expected a warning, the umpire acted correctly in reporting him. He initially failed the bowling action test but later managed to clear it.

In the same podcast, Shakib also revealed that he is not officially retired from any format of international cricket. Instead, he plans to return to Bangladesh, play one full series comprising ODIs, Tests and T20Is, and then retire from all formats. This disclosure contradicts his September 2024 announcement, in which he suggested he was preparing to retire after one last home appearance.

Read more: England Overtrained Ahead of Second Ashes Test: McCullum

Widely regarded as one of Bangladesh’s greatest cricketers, Shakib remains the only player ever to top the ICC all-rounder rankings in all three formats simultaneously. Since making his international debut in 2006, he has represented Bangladesh in 70 Tests, 247 ODIs and 129 T20Is. His career has also intersected with the country’s political landscape. A former Awami League member of parliament, he left Bangladesh following the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government and was subsequently barred from representing the country again, according to sports adviser Asif Mahmud.

Despite the controversies surrounding him, Shakib continues to be one of the most influential figures in Bangladesh cricket, and his latest disclosures have once again brought him into the spotlight.