Aliss Al Islam Under Scrutiny for Illegal Bowling Action
Bangladesh spinner Aliss Al Islam faces ICC scrutiny over his bowling action after ODI debut against Afghanistan.
Bangladesh's newest addition to the ODI squad, off-spinner Aliss Al Islam, has found himself in hot water. Following a tri-series clash against Afghanistan in Sharjah, the bowler has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action, casting a shadow over his international debut.
A Debut to Remember for the Wrong Reasons
Aliss Al Islam made his One Day International (ODI) debut on Wednesday, October 21, during a high-stakes match against Afghanistan. While the 29-year-old was eager to make his mark, the match officials were focusing on his technique. Aliss finished the game with figures of 8.3 overs, conceding 47 runs, but the real story emerged after the match ended in a defeat for Bangladesh.
Match officials raised concerns regarding the legality of his delivery, leading to a formal report. This follows a difficult run for Bangladesh in the tri-series, where they suffered losses against both Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.
What Happens Next?
Under the ICC Illegal Bowling Action Regulations, Aliss must now undergo an independent assessment. This evaluation will take place at an ICC-accredited testing centre to determine if his elbow extension exceeds the permissible limit.
According to ICC rules, bowlers are allowed a maximum of 15 degrees of elbow extension when delivering the ball. Any extension beyond this threshold is considered illegal. Despite the report, Aliss is permitted to continue bowling in international fixtures until the final results of the assessment are released.
A Recurring Pattern
This is not the first time the off-spinner has faced questions about his action. His career has been marked by similar controversies:
- 2019: After a stunning T20 debut in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) where he claimed a hat-trick, Aliss was reported for his action. He eventually passed a domestic assessment conducted by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in October of that year.
- Last Year: He was reported once again during the BPL, though he managed to clear another BCB-led bowling action test.
The Road Ahead
While the ICC assessment looms, the tri-series continues. Afghanistan and Zimbabwe are set to clash in the final on October 23, leaving Bangladesh to reflect on a disappointing campaign and a nervous wait for Aliss Al Islam.