Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed’s suspension from bowing in international cricket was today upheld by a judicial commissioner following a review hearing.
The bowler was pulled into a controversy when a photo-shopped image of him carrying MS Dhoni’s chopped head made the rounds before India’s clash against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup. Dhoni went on to play a match-winning innings in response and the image became the butt of jokes on social media.
The fans who may be responsible for that picture must be left red-faced now that Taskin won’t be playing in the World T20 match between the two countries.
The ICC said in a release that Taskin had “exercised his right to request an expeditious review of his case by a judicial commissioner” after his suspension for an illegal bowling action.
The hearing was conducted yesterday by Michael Beloff QC over a tele-conference call that lasted several hours and in which numerous legal challenges were made on behalf of the player.
Having carefully considered those arguments and the responses of the ICC, Mr Beloff has now 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.
In the meantime, Taskin, at any time following appropriate remedial work, can apply to the ICC for a re-assessment of his bowling action.
Taskin and his teammate, left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny, were reported for suspected illegal bowling action by the match officials during Bangladesh’s opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 against the Netherlands in Dharamsala.
Taskin undertook an independent assessment at the ICC-accredited testing centre in Chennai.
The independent assessment found that some of Taskin’s standard deliveries exceeded the permissible level of elbow extension and, as such, his bowling action was found to be illegal.
He was then suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect.
With inputs from PTI