Things are turning from bad to worse for Bangladesh off-spinner Sohag Gazi after the International Cricket Council suspended him on Wednesday for an illegal bowling action. The 23-year old cricketer will now have to go through a long programme to correct his action. However, according to sources, Gazi’s next bowling test will take place within a year which means that the talented all-rounder is going to miss the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe and the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Gazi’s elbow flex is said to exceed the 15-degree tolerance level permitted to a bowler bending the bowling arm. The right-arm spinner was reported by match officials after the second one-day international against the West Indies two months ago in the Caribbean following which the cricketer from Patuakhali underwent bowling tests in Cardiff Metropolitan University (CMU) on September 19.
Chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) cricket operations committee, Akram Khan, however, informed that the board will try to correct the action of the bowler as soon as possible.
“It is very unfortunate for us. He is an important player, particularly in Test cricket. We will try to correct him as soon as possible. We had experienced coaches working with Abdur Razzak when he had the same problem in 2008-09. So, we are hoping to do the same for Gazi,” said Akram.
However, it was learned that it will take at least a year to change the bowling action of Gazi.
“It is very difficult to say how long it will take for him to come back but we will try our best,” Akram said adding that the board will try to avail the testing facilities in Chennai, India.
The BCB is not willing to take any risks and Akram stated that they will send the off-spinner for final tests only after getting confirmation that he is in the clear.
“We have to take this matter very seriously. We will only send him for final tests when we are confirmed that he is clear. We cannot risk Gazi. There is no time-frame,” said Akram.
Upon hearing news that he was suspended, Gazi was surprised as he believed that his bowling tests went well in Cardiff last month.
However, he expressed confidence that he would be able to undergo remedial work on his bowling action and make a comeback to the national side sooner rather than later.
“I have to start working again. I do not think it will be a hindrance and I am confident that I can come back. It is not a very big margin of degree as they (CMU) informed that my hand flexed 25 degrees. I definitely want to give the test as soon as possible so that I can prepare myself for the World Cup. But, everything depends on the board,” said Gazi.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh paceman Al Amin Hossain, whose bowling action was also questioned by match officials after the first Test against the West Indies, will go through bowling tests on October 18.
The cricket operations chief wants his bowling test done before the first Test against Zimbabwe beginning from October 25.
