Reconsider decision on Taskin suspension, BCB urges ICC

Papon speaks to ICC chairman, CEO

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made an appeal to the ICC to reconsider Taskin Ahmed’s suspension from bowling in international cricket. BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon yesterday said that the board has put forward a strong argument as to why Taskin’s suspension should be reconsidered. The ICC temporarily suspended Taskin along with left arm spinner Arafat Sunny, claiming that the deliveries of the duo had exceeded the 15-degree-level of tolerance permitted by the ICC Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions.
According to the ICC, while not all of Taskin’s deliveries were legal, most of Sunny’s deliveries were found to have been illegal. Bangladeshi fans were hugely disappointed following the ICC decision and accused the BCB of being sitting idle on this issue.
Papon, however, said that the BCB had been prompt in taking up the matter with the ICC. “We've scrutinised all the papers sent by the ICC regarding the bowling action of Taskin and Sunny. We're not convinced about Taskin’s suspension. There is no reason to be satisfied about the report,” Papon told reporters yesterday at a packed press conference at his residence in
Gulshan-2.
“I returned to the country last night and didn’t have time to sit with the matter. I spoke to ICC chairman Shashank Monohar and CEO David Richardson. I told them the points on which we disagree with the ICC’s decision. They listened to me patiently and immediately sat with the legal teams. They will let us know the outcome of the meeting very soon,” he said.
The BCB chief said that he has urged the ICC chairman and CEO to
reconsider the suspension order. “On the basis of strong reconsideration grounds, I urged them to reconsider the suspension order. Only the ICC can withdraw its decision and that is why I spoke to the two top men of the ICC directly,” he added.
The BCB said that the ICC guidelines were flouted in testing Taskin’s bowling action. It has already sent the relevant papers to their lawyer Mustafizur Rahman Khan.
Khan, also a SC lawyer, pointed out that Taskin’s stock delivery, the good length delivery, could not be faulted by the committee and hence the harshest possible punishment that could have been given to him is a ‘warning’.
He also said Taskin was asked to bowl nine bouncers in three minutes, out of which only three were found to have been bowled with an illegal action. Bowling nine bouncers in such quick succession would not be required of him in a T20 match. The committee certainly had not followed the ICC guidelines, he added.
When asked if he is hopeful of Taskin’s return to the World T20, Papon said he is keeping his fingers crossed regarding the matter. “I can assure you that the ICC will let us know about the outcome very soon. We’ve never heard or seen a decision getting immediately changed by the ICC. But I won’t be amazed even if that happens in case of Taskin. I remain hopeful,” he added.
The BCB boss, however, ruled out taking any legal step, which the fans strongly demanded.
“The legal action at the moment wouldn’t give us what we are looking for, namely a quick return for Taskin. It’d be a lengthy procedure. As of now, I’m trying to avoid it and trying to see if something can be done immediately through a shortcut. I haven’t given up hope yet. I feel that there is a slight possibility for Taskin to join us as soon as possible,” he said.
“Many players were suspended in the past, but no board had taken such a prompt action like us. I reacted instantly after going through the report. I hope they will consider our argument and give a logical reply,” the BCB chief added.
The fans meanwhile lashed out at the ICC and took a dig at India, saying that it was a plot by India to scupper Bangladesh’s sterling performance in the international cricket.
Papon, however, did not put the blame on any country or the ICC. “Our bowlers are match winners for us. Our batsmen lack the ability to hit sixers or boundaries like Chris Gayle. We depend on our bowlers, and they have delivered on most of the occasions. These two bowlers have been playing for quite some time, but their bowling action was never called into question before,” he said.
“But who will hatch a conspiracy against us? ICC is happy about our progress. Why will they do something to inconvenince us? Yes, we could have sent the two bowlers to Australia, England or South Africa to test their bowling action, but we’ve sent them to Chennai since we have little time. You can’t put the blame on any nation. Either we’re doing something wrong or the ICC is committing something which is not right. It should be identified. I hope the ICC will act promptly to give us a satisfactory result,” he added.

 

 

Reconsider decision on Taskin suspension, BCB urges ICC

Papon speaks to ICC chairman, CEO

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made an appeal to the ICC to reconsider Taskin Ahmeds suspension from bowling in international cricket. BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon yesterday said that the board has put forward a strong argument as to why Taskins suspension should be reconsidered. The ICC temporarily suspended Taskin along with left arm spinner Arafat Sunny, claiming that the deliveries of the duo had exceeded the 15-degree-level of tolerance permitted by the ICC Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions. According to the ICC, while not all of Taskins deliveries were legal, most of Sunnys deliveries were found to have been illegal. Bangladeshi fans were hugely disappointed following the ICC decision and accused the BCB of being sitting idle on this issue. Papon, however, said that the BCB had been prompt in taking up the matter with the ICC. Weve scrutinised all the papers sent by the ICC regarding the bowling action of Taskin and Sunny. Were not convinced about Taskins suspension. There is no reason to be satisfied about the report, Papon told reporters yesterday at a packed press conference at his residence in Gulshan-2. I returned to the country last night and didnt have time to sit with the matter. I spoke to ICC chairman Shashank Monohar and CEO David Richardson. I told them the points on which we disagree with the ICCs decision. They listened to me patiently and immediately sat with the legal teams. They will let us know the outcome of the meeting very soon, he said. The BCB chief said that he has urged the ICC chairman and CEO to reconsider the suspension order. On the basis of strong reconsideration grounds, I urged them to reconsider the suspension order. Only the ICC can withdraw its decision and that is why I spoke to the two top men of the ICC directly, he added. The BCB said that the ICC guidelines were flouted in testing Taskins bowling action. It has already sent the relevant papers to their lawyer Mustafizur Rahman Khan. Khan, also a SC lawyer, pointed out that Taskins stock delivery, the good length delivery, could not be faulted by the committee and hence the harshest possible punishment that could have been given to him is a warning. He also said Taskin was asked to bowl nine bouncers in three minutes, out of which only three were found to have been bowled with an illegal action. Bowling nine bouncers in such quick succession would not be required of him in a T20 match. The committee certainly had not followed the ICC guidelines, he added. When asked if he is hopeful of Taskins return to the World T20, Papon said he is keeping his fingers crossed regarding the matter. I can assure you that the ICC will let us know about the outcome very soon. Weve never heard or seen a decision getting immediately changed by the ICC. But I wont be amazed even if that happens in case of Taskin. I remain hopeful, he added. The BCB boss, however, ruled out taking any legal step, which the fans strongly demanded. The legal action at the moment wouldnt give us what we are looking for, namely a quick return for Taskin. Itd be a lengthy procedure. As of now, Im trying to avoid it and trying to see if something can be done immediately through a shortcut. I havent given up hope yet. I feel that there is a slight possibility for Taskin to join us as soon as possible, he said. Many players were suspended in the past, but no board had taken such a prompt action like us. I reacted instantly after going through the report. I hope they will consider our argument and give a logical reply, the BCB chief added. The fans meanwhile lashed out at the ICC and took a dig at India, saying that it was a plot by India to scupper Bangladeshs sterling performance in the international cricket. Papon, however, did not put the blame on any country or the ICC. Our bowlers are match winners for us. Our batsmen lack the ability to hit sixers or boundaries like Chris Gayle. We depend on our bowlers, and they have delivered on most of the occasions. These two bowlers have been playing for quite some time, but their bowling action was never called into question before, he said. But who will hatch a conspiracy against us? ICC is happy about our progress. Why will they do something to inconvenince us? Yes, we could have sent the two bowlers to Australia, England or South Africa to test their bowling action, but weve sent them to Chennai since we have little time. You cant put the blame on any nation. Either were doing something wrong or the ICC is committing something which is not right. It should be identified. I hope the ICC will act promptly to give us a satisfactory result, he added.