Pakistan cricket is surrounded by many controversial issues ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. If one of those controversial things is related to his government’s stance, the other is the bowling action of spinner Usman Tariq.
Before Pakistan’s opening match of the tournament, captain Salman Ali Aga needed to defend the spinner from critics who called the spinner a ‘chucker’. The Pakistan T20I captain showed his support to Usman Tariq ahead of his first match in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Why is Usman Tariq in controversy?
Before the specific tournament, Pakistan hosted a T20I bilateral series with Australia. During this series, Tariq’s bowling action caught the attention of cricket fans. The bowling action of this 28 year old player looks a little different. There are some bowlers who bowled the ball using different bowling actions, which do not violate the rules of cricket. But unusual bowling action does not mean that it is violating cricket norms.
Usman Tariq finds himself in the middle of an ‘illegal action’ storm after the third T20I against Australia. This spinner neutralized Australia’s star all-rounder Cameron Green with his spin. Green was clearly not happy with his dismissal and probably had double thoughts about Tariq’s bowling action. Green’s body language showed that Tariq was ‘chucking’ or ‘throwing’ the ball.
The Pakistani spinner has the skill of turning the ball in the air, which often surprises the batsmen. For Cameron Green, it was that example. The ball spun slightly in the air and successfully dodged the batsman. The dismissal of the Australian all-rounder sparked widespread debate on social media platforms, with questions being raised as to whether the bowling action was legal.
Before the T20 World Cup 2026 match, Agha said that there is no problem with Tariq’s bowling action; He is absolutely ready to bowl.
“There is no problem in Usman Tariq’s actions. Now all that is left is for Usman Tariq to write across his neck, “I am clear”, Salman Ali Aga said during the pre-match press conference.
Explanation from an umpire also
A day earlier, well-known Indian all-rounder Anil Chaudhary had also said that the bowling action of the Pakistani spinner is not illegal. He said that Usman Tariq’s bowling action is unusual, but there is nothing wrong in it.
“If you look at his action, it is a little side-on and a little different, and he bowls with a slight pause. However, since he bowls all his balls in the same way and in his arm, and there is no bending or straightening as per the guidelines, the action is absolutely fine. It is different, and he bowls with a pause, but he bowls all the balls in the same way. In my opinion, his action is appropriate and it is a fair delivery,” Anil Chaudhary told.
Pakistan cricket team will play its first match of T20 World Cup 2026 tomorrow against Netherlands at SSC ground in Sri Lanka.
Read more: Salman Ali Aga reveals Pakistan’s knockout plan against India in T20 World Cup 2026
