Mumbai: Bangladeshi bowlers Taskin Ahmed (fast bowler) and Arafat Sunny’s (spinner) actions have been cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC). ICC gave them the green light to bowl in international cricket.
Ahmad and Sunny were sent to ICC accredited National Cricket Centre Brisbane, Australia for their action eligibility test. The Bangladeshi duo underwent a rigorous test to correct the illegality in their actions. The contentious issue was the flex in the elbow which was way beyond 15 degree permissible limits.
The umpires are free to report Arafat and Taskin in the future if they believe they use a suspect action.
Arafat and Taskin were reported after their side’s opening match in the ICC World Twenty20 against the Netherlands in Dharamsala on March 9. The independent assessments were performed at the ICC-accredited testing centre in Chennai.
Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusigha and Captain Mashrafe Mortaza would be delighted and must have had a sigh of relief. The Bangla Tigers will take on England in two Tests and three ODIs. Mortaza and Hathurusingha have developed a pool of fast bowlers and Ahmad, who bowls over 90 miles per hour and fits the bill perfectly.
England would be wary of Bangladesh and have sent a full strength side sans Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales. Taskin would be hoping that the whole episode was a nightmare and now he can fully concentrate on bowling fast and take English wickets.
Afghanistan would be taking on Bangladesh for three ODIs before England arrives for the series.