Taskin Ahmed, Arafat Sunny banned for bowling action
Bangladesh bowlers, Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny have been suspended from bowling in international cricket by the ICC after having been found guilty of illegal bowling actions. Both bowlers were banned with immediate effect after assessments were made in Chennai last week.
Sunny, the left-arm spinner, and Taskin, the right-arm fast bowler, were reported to have suspect actions in the World T20 Qualifier match against Netherlands. Following that, the duo were selected for their first match of the World T20 against Pakistan. Both the bowlers had picked up two wickets each in the match.
Replacements have not yet been announced the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), however, it is likely that Saqlain Sajib or Sanjamul Islam will be sent to India to as replacements for the banned duo. Both Sajib and Islam are left-arm spinners.
Sunny and Taskin can apply for a re-assessment once they modify their bowling actions. Pending the BCB's permission, they may be allowed to play in the domestic league.
Taskin and Sunny are not the first Bangladesh bowlers to be suspended for an illegal action. Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak was the first Bangladesh bowler to be suspended, in November 2008. Off-spinner Sohag Gazi was suspended from bowling in October 2014, and he was cleared after a second test in February 2015.
Bangladesh will be playing against Australia on March 21, and they will miss the services of Taskin and Sunny, who had a good start to the World T20.