If the communication was better, I would have been happier: Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh stalwart and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has finally cleared his third bowling action review, bringing an end to a rough phase in his career. The 37-year-old, who was suspended from bowling after being reported for a suspect action during a County Championship match in September 2024, has now been cleared to resume his bowling duties. However, Shakib believes the entire situation could have been handled better by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), particularly in terms of communication.

Shakib’s concerns regarding his bowling action were declared illegal following an independent evaluation. He subsequently underwent two reviews in England and India but failed both. As a result, he was excluded from Bangladesh’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with selectors unwilling to pick him solely as a batter due to his declining form with the bat. However, the veteran all-rounder hoped to represent his country in the marquee tournament.

"Look, I don't have any complaints, but if the communication was better in that case, I would have been happier," Shakib was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

'I think in the first two attempts, he was in a rush' - Khadem on Shakib

Hoping to make a comeback, Shakib Al Hasan took matters into his own hands. He trained with Surrey head coach Gareth Batty and Sirajullah Khadem (Nipu), a long-time friend from Bangladesh cricket circles. This preparation helped him finally pass his third reassessment test in England on March 9, 2025, at Loughborough University. Nipu, who played alongside Shakib in the 2006 U-19 World Cup, mentioned that the all-rounder benefited from better preparation this time.

Read More: Shakib Al Hasan clears reassessment test for suspect bowling action

"The journey wasn't too difficult, nor was he under a lot of stress. He knew exactly what he had to do. I think in the first two attempts, he was in a rush. This time, however, he had the perfect preparation, and as a result, he got his reward (bypassing the third test). We trained for four to five hours a day and he bowled extensively ahead of the third test," Khadem said.

Shakib’s exclusion from the Champions Trophy squad may have cost Bangladesh dearly, as they suffered a disappointing campaign. Many believe that if the BCB had communicated better and handled the situation differently, Shakib might have played the tournament and even ended his ODI career on his terms. The board also recently omitted him from the central contracts.