Following the third T20I between Pakistan and Australia, Usman Tariq faced scrutiny over his bowling action. The issue arose when Cameron Green, dismissed by Tariq, made gestures suggesting he believed the spinner was ‘chucking’ the ball. This led to a heated discussion on social media. However, after evaluating Tariq’s technique, Indian umpire Anil Chaudhary declared his action as completely ‘legal’.
Chaudhary noted that while Tariq’s bowling style is unusual, featuring a sidearm delivery and a brief pause, it does not violate any rules.
“I’ve reviewed a video of Usman Tariq’s bowling action. His delivery is somewhat side-on and distinctive, with a slight pause before he bowls. However, since he consistently delivers every ball the same way, and his arm does not bend and straighten as per the guidelines, his action is fully legal. It might look different, and he does pause momentarily, but all his deliveries are consistent. I believe his action is legitimate, and it’s a legal delivery,” Chaudhary explained in the video.
As the discussion surged online, former Australia Test batter Usman Khawaja came to Tariq’s defense on Instagram. He pointed out the unfairness of calling the Pakistan spinner a ‘chucker,’ especially since Tariq has been cleared of such accusations multiple times.
“Being labeled a chucker in Cricket is one of the worst things that can happen. The stigma is real. He’s doing his best and has been cleared twice. Let’s take a step back, gain some perspective, and avoid hasty judgments,” Khawaja posted on his Instagram Stories.