Taskin and Sunny reported for suspect bowling action
Bangladesh were left stunned as two of their bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny have been reported with suspect bowling action after their Wednesday’s match in the ICC World Twenty20.
Match officials conveyed the message to manager Khaled Mahmud shortly after Bangladesh posted an eight-run win over the Dutch side in the hard-fought match at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
Mahmud refused to make any comments on the issue but coach Chandika Hathurusinghe questioned the timing of match officials’ concern, which came just after the first match of a very important tournament.
‘They have concern about my bowlers and I have concerns about their action as well,’ said an irritated Hathurusinghe as Bangladesh were preparing to face Ireland in their next match.
Sunny, who bowled just two overs in the match, has been playing international cricket for nearly two years while Taskin is also a regular in the ICC events since the Under-19 World Cup 2012.
They were both part of the Bangladesh squad in the recent Asia Cup where Taskin played all five matches including the final. Taskin also played a key hand in Bangladesh’s progress to the Asia Cup final.
He bowled the crucial final over against the Netherlands to concede just eight runs.
Hathurusinghe said he was surprised with the move from the match officials but hoped both the players will be cleared after maintaining due process for the suspect action.
‘They have some concerns over two of our bowlers, they were reported. So at this stage whatever the procedure the ICC has to do, we are following that procedure,’ said Hathurusinghe.
‘I think the bowlers are strong enough to understand what they are doing it’s right. We also think we have no concern. They played so many crickets recently as well.
‘It’s a surprise for us… I don’t think it’s going to affect the way we are playing,’ he said.
In ideal case, a bowler reported with suspect action is required to undergo for a test within 14 days, and, during this period he is permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results of the test is known.
However, the timeframe for the biomechanics test of suspect bowling action is just seven days if a player is reported in an ICC event.
As per rule the ICC shall be responsible for determining the time and place at which the independent analysis shall be carried out and shall ensure that the player, through the player’s home Board, is given reasonable notice thereof.
The ICC in a statement later on Thursday said it is working with the Bangladesh cricket team management to confirm schedule for the independent testing of both bowlers at the ICC-accredited testing centre in Chennai.
There is no time limit for the result to be made known.
Since the process is not entirely in Bangladesh’s hand, the BCB officials present at Dharmsala said they are not sure upto when the duo will be able to continue playing in the tournament.
-With New Age input