Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq delivered a strong performance in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash against the USA in Colombo. He took three wickets and helped Pakistan secure a 32-run victory. But instead of only praise, his bowling action again became the main talking point.
Soon after the match, social media was filled with accusations of chucking. Many viewers pointed to two parts of his action. They highlighted the visible bend in his elbow. They also questioned a short pause in his run-up just before he released the ball.
Former India wicketkeeper Shreevats Goswami strongly criticised the pause. He compared it with football rules about penalty kicks.
“Even football doesn’t allow players to pause during a penalty run-up anymore. How is this ok? Action – all good. But pause ? That too while loading to deliver. This can’t be continued seriously !” tweeted Goswami on X.
Ravichandran Ashwin defends Usman Tariq
Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin came to Tariq’s support. He explained that bowling legality can only be judged through proper testing. He also spoke about the 15-degree elbow extension rule used by the ICC.
“Okay, let me make it as clear as possible. Firstly, the legalities of his action can only be tested at an ICC bowling action testing Centre. Secondly, there is a 15° rule under which a bowler needs to keep his elbow and straighten it and to judge if a bowler is bowling within that 15° mark by the onfield Umpire is impossible. The only solution to that is having a real time in competition testing tool. The above is a grey area and to accuse someone for utilising the grey area is wrong. Finally, if the pause at the crease is legal or not, and that’s where I believe that it is entirely legal because that is his regular action,” he wrote.
Tariq has faced similar questions before. He was reported in the Pakistan Super League but cleared after testing. The ICC has also cleared him in the past year. The spinner earlier said the bend in his arm is natural and linked to a biological condition.
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