Cricholic
Shakib avoided direct criticism but hinted that better communication from the BCB could have helped. Speaking to Cricbuzz, he said:
“I don’t have any complaints, but if the communication was better in that case, I would have been happier.”
He wanted a week-long training camp with his mentor Mohammad Salahuddin before the reassessment. However, he missed the opportunity, which led to his earlier failure. As a result, he did not make it into the Champions Trophy squad. Given his recent dip in batting form, selectors hesitated to include him as a specialist batter.
Bowling Suspension and Failed Reassessments
During a County Championship match between Surrey and Somerset in September 2024, officials reported Shakib’s bowling action. An independent assessment by the ECB declared his action illegal, leading to his suspension.
He attempted two reassessments—one in England and another in India—but failed both. After extensive training, he finally cleared the test on his third attempt.
Missed Champions Trophy and ODI Farewell Hopes
Shakib wanted to participate in the Champions Trophy, believing that training under Salahuddin would improve his chances. However, the BCB ignored his request, drawing criticism from the cricket community.
Many believe that playing in the tournament would have allowed him to retire from ODIs on his own terms. After Bangladesh’s disappointing performance, the board may regret its decision.
Successful Comeback with Focused Training
Shakib worked closely with Surrey head coach Gareth Batty for two weeks. His childhood friend Sirajullah Khadem (Nipu) also played a key role in helping him refine his action.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Nipu explained why Shakib struggled in his earlier tests.
“The journey wasn’t too difficult, nor was he under much stress. He knew exactly what he had to do. In the first two attempts, he rushed the process, but this time he had the perfect preparation and got his reward,” he said.
Shakib trained for four to five hours daily, focusing on his bowling action before the reassessment.
Fatigue Might Have Affected His Action
Nipu suggested that excessive bowling during his County stint might have triggered his action issues.
“I believe officials reported him because he bowled too much in that match. When you push yourself too hard, especially when fatigued, your action can change slightly and cause problems,” he explained.
Will Shakib Return to the Squad?
Shakib cleared his test at Loughborough University on March 9. Now, all eyes are on the BCB. Since he is no longer under a central contract, his return to the national team remains uncertain.
Given his experience, selectors may need to reconsider—especially after facing backlash for dropping him from the Champions Trophy squad.
