Bangladesh’s World T20 campaign has plunged into a spot of bother with the bowling actions of pacer Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny coming under the scanner.
Andy Pycroft, the match referee, in his official report after the game against Netherlands has raised concerns about the bowling action of the duo following Bangladesh’s eight-run victory on March 9 in Dharamsala.
Chandika Hathurasinghe, the coach, did not seem too pleased with the timing of the decision. In a press conference, he was asked if the timing of the decision to question the bowling action was a cause of concern.
“No I haven’t spoken to them (ICC) but that’s a concern,” he said. “If they have a concern about my bowlers, I have a concern about their actions as well. I don’t see anything wrong.
“They have bowled the same way as the last 12 months. As you said if they have officiated the matches they have been playing, they must have seen something different yesterday. That’s all I can say.”
The officials for the game included S Ravi and Rod Tucker the on-field umpires, Chris Gaffaney, the third umpire, and Pycroft. The last series to feature the the same players and officials was in 2014 when India toured Bangladesh for a three-match ODI series.
Tucker and Pycroft were the officials for that series and since then have not stood in a game featuring the same players until yesterday.
“They have some concern over two of our bowlers. They were reported. At this stage whatever the procedure the ICC has to do we are following that procedure. They can play and bowl,” said Hathurasinghe confirming the news.
Hathurasinghe said that he was confident that there was nothing wrong with the bowling action of either of the players. He also was firm that these won’t affect the team in any manner. “It’s about how you take it,” he said. “As bowlers they are strong enough to understand what they are doing is right.
“We also think that we have no concern. They have played so much cricket, recently as well. It is a surprise for us. We have to take their concerns. They are only concerns at this stage. I don’t think it will affect the way we are playing.”
According to the ICC rules and regulations the players have 14 days to get their actions tested after being reported for the first time. They can continue to play during this period. The nearest testing centre for the duo to go to will have to be in Chennai.
Bangladesh are already missing out on the services of Mustafizur Rahman who is still not a 100% fit according to Hathurasinghe. The pacer suffered from a side strain during the Asia Cup and has missed four games on a trot till now.
Source: Ittefaq
