Big blow for Bangladesh! Taskin's suspension is upheld

Independent assessment finds that some of Taskin’s standard deliveries exceeded the permissible level of elbow extension.

The decision to suspend Bangladesh's Taskin Ahmed from bowling in international cricket was upheld at a review hearing conducted by Michael Beloff, the International Cricket Council’s judicial commissioner, on Tuesday.

The ICC said Taskin had 'exercised his right to request an expeditious review of his case by a judicial commissioner' following his suspension for an illegal bowling action.

According to the ICC, the hearing 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," read a statement from the ICC.

In the meantime, Taskin, at any time following appropriate remedial work, can apply to the ICC for a re-assessment of his bowling action.

Bangladesh had appealed to cricket's world governing body to lift the suspension on the pacer, who was ruled out of the ongoing World Twenty20 in India because of his illegal bowling action.

Taskin and left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny were suspended from bowling in international cricket on Saturday after being reported by match officials following Bangladesh's qualifying match against the Netherlands in Dharamsala on March 9.

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.

Image: Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed.

Photograph: Getty Images