Bangladesh’s chance in the ICC World Twenty20 received serious blow on when two of their bowlers Arafat Sunny and Taskin Ahmed were suspended by the International Cricket Council on Saturday.
Sunny and Taskin had undergone biometric tests on last week after being reported for suspect action following Bangladesh’s first qualifying match against Netherlands in Dharamsala on March 9.
The ICC revealed the result of their tests on Saturday saying majority of Sunny’s deliveries are found to be illegal while not all deliveries of Taskin as legal.
‘Arafat’s analysis revealed that the elbow extension for majority of his deliveries had exceeded the 15 degrees’ level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations for the review of bowlers reported with suspected illegal bowling actions, while not all of Taskin’s deliveries were legal,’ said an ICC press release.
The news came as a bolt from the blue for the Tigers who were preparing to take on Australia in their next match on March 21 after already receiving a hammering from Pakistan.
Taskin and Sunny were their two of the most successful bowlers in Pakistan match having scalped 2-32 and 2-35 respectively.
‘Naturally it is disappointing,’ Bangladesh team manager Khaled Mahmud told New Age on Saturday.
‘They were two of our premier bowlers and were really bowling consistently in the shorter format where you need to bowl according to your line and length.
‘Even during the Pakistan game when most of our bowlers were struggling they seemed to hold their ground,’ he added.
The duo can apply for a re-assessment at any stage after modifying their bowling actions.
Selector Habibul Bashar confirmed New Age that Saqlain Sajib will replace Arafat Sunny while Shuvagata Hom will take place of Taskin Ahmed.
‘Saqlain had been bowling well for quite some time in the domestic arena and had been in our radar,’ said Habibul.
‘As it seems there is no possibility of trying four pacers so we included Shuvagata, who can bat and bowl as well,’ he said.
Bangladesh were left stunned with the timing of the ICC concern over the bowling actions of two of their bowlers as they are going to face a tough challenge ahead in the tournament.
Saqlain and Shuvagata are expected to join the team at Bangalore with the first available flight once their inclusion is approved by the ICC.
Source: New Age