Sports

Bangladesh fans vent anger at ICC over Taskin, Sunny bans

Both bowlers were reported for illegal action in qualifying round match against Netherlands

Afp March 20, 2016

PHOTO: AFP

DHAKA, BANGLADESH: Scores of Bangladeshi cricket fans took to the streets of Dhaka on Sunday to express their outrage hours after global cricket officials banned the country's top bowlers from competing in the World Twenty20 in India.

The demonstrators formed a human chain as they marched along a busy road in the capital, after the International Cricket Council suspended pacer Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny on Saturday from bowling in international matches for illegal actions.

Taskin, Sunny suspended for illegal action

The bans came as a blow to Bangladesh's chances in the World Twenty20 after they lost to Pakistan by 55 runs in their opening match of the tournament.

"Shame on you ICC. Your action is illegal," one banner read as young fans rallied against what they described as a "conspiracy" targeting Bangladesh.

"The ICC has been consistently trying to destroy the chances of small teams like Bangladesh to do better in the World Cup. The bans of Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny are part of this conspiracy," enraged cricket fan Sanjiban Sudip, 23, told AFP.

Bangladesh bowling duo reported for suspect action

"This is nothing new. No players from India, Australia or England have been banned for suspect actions. In contrast, plenty of players from teams like Bangladesh were suspended," he added.

The protesters burned a "symbolic effigy" of the ICC as they concluded their protest. An AFP photographer at the scene said at least 100 people joined the hour-long protest at Dhaka's Shahbagh square.

Thousands of Bangladeshi fans also vented their frustration on social media after the bowlers failed assessment tests to clear the suspicion over their bowling, as the bans made front-page headlines across the cricket-crazy nation on Sunday.

Australia gunning for comeback against weaken Bangladesh

Bangladesh face an uphill task to make the semi-finals of the World T20 for the first time after losing their opening match to Pakistan last week.

Their next game is against Australia in Bangalore on Monday while they must also face New Zealand and India in the group stages.

The ICC launched a crackdown against suspect actions in 2014, which resulted in several leading bowlers being suspended, including the world's former number one-ranked spinner Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal.

COMMENTS (12)

ad | 8 years ago | Reply Did anyone saw last night game? Thats BD team's class of which icc (bcci ) and specially dhoni is scared of. Although BD Team dropped just 10-20 catches and may be missed just 5-10 runouts,BD could easily have beaten Aus , but since icc aka bcci aka dhoni aka 'oori baba not again ' has taken Taskin out of game by conspiracy BD lost. Our Captain cried, fans cried, tv anchors cried and last night i too cried...but icc dont want us to play Although in last 2 years they arranged india tour, pak tour , SA tour and we got lot of money but not the cup, i request ICC to directly courier our 2015 world cup and 2012 asia cup and thia 2016 cup trophies,they have been taken from us by conspiracy.

nasser | 8 years ago | Reply Bangladesh was in the forefront of seconding the hegemony of BIG THREE so why this noise now. You sow what you reap.The big three is systematically targeting the key players of other teams. Pakistan was the first to get the jab and Bangladesh was full of glee. Let them feel the pinch now.

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Muneeb Imran | 8 years ago | Reply Bangladesh has a habit of arriving late at the party.... Why were they quiet when other teams' bowlers were getting banned for their action, if BD really had objections to the mechanism of judging bowling actions? They need to understand that sitting in the laps of Indian Cricket Board will not help them at all.

farhan | 8 years ago | Reply @AD: Pinned down the best way...super

Unknown | 8 years ago | Reply @AD: Love your sense of humor.

M@NI | 8 years ago | Reply @AD hahah spo on, sarcasm at it's best (Y)

AD | 8 years ago | Reply Its not new, @S Pakistan conspired before in 2012.when this ordinary player Cheema planned his moves 1 week before finals,which is too block BD from winning finals ,i guess BCCI callled him phone and dhoni instructed him to do that,Dhoni also tried to hit our bowler when he was JUST standing on pitch like company baug, http://tribune.com.pk/story/354552/bangladesh-seeks-reversal-of-asia-cup-final-result/

AD | 8 years ago | Reply @S: I don't care who is who and what is standard procedure,rules All are conspiring 'only' against best among the rest, Bangladesh team, Pak team,Ind team, Aus team or any team dont matter,their players are banned as they have illegal action and ordinary. BD players are elite ,outstanding and best,that's why the conspiracy angle is only applicable for them.So instead of sacking BD elite coach who sent these outstandingly honest bowlers like Sunny,BD will change the rules as they are designed for only one sole purpose which is to destroy BD cricket and dont let them win any Cup. Have u ever heard BD winning a trophy or any finals, its because ICC (due to BCCI ) dont let them do that. and one more thing,I am a very Sarcastic person.

S | 8 years ago | Reply @AD: Two of Pakistani spinners are banned too right now, one for illegal action and other for taking drugs. Pak has no say in this. Follow the rules even if you don't agree.

Hari | 8 years ago | Reply Big three invested a lot in grassroot level player development and any problematic action would be corrected in earlier stages well before international exposure. Just look out for bowlers bowling with half sleeves and you will understand.

AD | 8 years ago | Reply BD surely have won against Australia and then Finals too, But now since no taskiin or sunny , they may loose t20 World Cup . Taskin and Sunny are the bowlers everyone is very afraid of in this conditions,so they are being removed . Similarly BD was robbed of World Cup 2015. big conspiracy going on against them and it seems it was planned since BD qualified for Group Stage. Teams like Ind, Aus, Pak needs to do these types of things , or BD will beat them all out .

goldconsumer | 8 years ago | Reply Thank God the ban came after the Pakistan match!

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