Taskin, Arafat suspened for illegal actions

Bangladesh off-spinner Arafat Sunny and fast bowler Taskin Ahmed have both been suspended from bowling with immediate effect midway through the World Twenty20.

The duo were reported for suspected illegal bowling actions following their side's opening match of the World Twenty20 in India, an eight-run win against the Netherlands in Dharamshala on March 9.

The pair went for independent testing at the Sri Ramachandra University in Chennai, an ICC approved facility, where their actions were confirmed to be illegal.

Arafat’s analysis revealed that the elbow extension for majority of his deliveries had exceeded the 15 degrees' level of tolerance permitted under ICC regulations, while not all of Taskin's deliveries were legal.

Bangladesh's next match is against Australia in Banglaore on Monday night.

The Bangladesh team will be allowed to replace both bowlers in their squad for the remainder of the event.

Bangladesh has yet to comment on their bowlers' suspensions, but coach Chandika Hathursingha was furious at the timing of the report with the pair bowling for Bangladesh without issue during the past year, as well as the recent Asia Cup.

"If they have a concern about my bowlers, I have a concern about their (the ICC's) actions as well," Hathurusingha said.

"I don't see anything wrong. They have bowled the same way as the last 12 months.

"If they (the umpires) have officiated the matches they have been playing, they must have seen something different yesterday. That's all I can say."

Match referee Andy Pycroft and on-field umpire Rod Tucker from the match against the Netherlands had seen Taskin and Sunny bowl within the past year – the pair were involved in Bangladesh's home ODI series against India last June.

"It's about how you take it," the former NSW Blues coach said after being notified the bowlers were reported. "As bowlers they are strong enough to understand what they are doing is right.

"We also think that we have no concern. They have played so much cricket, recently as well. It is a surprise for us.

"We have to take their (the ICC's) concerns. They are only concerns at this stage. I don't think it will affect the way we are playing." 

Taskin has taken three wickets in four World T20 matches for Bangladesh, Averaging 20.33 with an economy rate of 6.10. Arafat’s two wickets for the tournament came in the defeat to Pakistan in their Super 10 match at Kolkata.