Judicial Commisioner upholds Taskin Ahmed's bowling suspension

Taskin Ahmed’s suspension from bowling in international cricket has been upheld following a review hearing conducted by a Judicial Commissioner, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced today.

The match officials reported fast bowler Taskin Ahmed for having a suspected illegal bowling action in Bangladesh’s opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 against the Netherlands in Dharamsala on 9th March.

Taskin then went through an independent assessment at the ICC-accredited testing centre in Chennai on 15 March. However, he failed to clear the tests after the independent assessment found that some of Taskin’s standard deliveries exceeded the permissible 15 degrees level of elbow extension which meant that his bowling action was illegal. Consequently, he was suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect.

This news created a wave in Bangladesh. Taskin too wasn’t satisfied and appealed for an expeditious review of his case by a Judicial Commissioner. The hearing was conducted on Tuesday by Michael Beloff QC over a teleconference call that lasted several hours and in which numerous legal challenges were made on behalf of the player.

Mr Beloff carefully considered those arguments and the responses of the ICC and then notified all parties concerned of his decision that Taskin’s suspension from bowling in international cricket shall be upheld and indicated that a written reasoned decision will be provided in due course.

Taskin can apply to the ICC for a re-assessment of his bowling action, which shall be carried out in the same manner as the initial independent assessment. In the event of such re-assessment concluding that Taskin has remedied his bowling action and that his elbow extension is within the permissible level on all of his standard deliveries, his suspension shall be lifted and he shall be permitted to resume bowling in international cricket.

Bangladesh, who are bottom of their group after two straight defeats, face hosts India in their third match on Wednesday.