Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq sparked debate over his ‘illegal action’ during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 game against the USA. Despite the controversy, he made a significant impact on the field.
Tariq took three key wickets—Milind Kumar, Harmeet Singh, and Mohammad Mohsin—while giving away just 27 runs in four overs. His effective off-spin helped Pakistan defend a total of 190, leading to a 32-run victory.
Amid rising pressure in the middle overs, Tariq’s bowling spell turned the match in Pakistan’s favor.
Controversy Surrounding Tariq’s Bowling Action
Following his strong performance, attention shifted to Tariq’s unconventional bowling style. He has faced scrutiny in the past, being reported twice during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), but was cleared both times.
During Pakistan’s home series against Australia before the T20 World Cup, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green imitated Tariq’s action in frustration after being dismissed by him. Green later apologized, realizing his reaction was unwarranted.
Tariq has consistently claimed that his bowling action is within ICC regulations and has provided both medical and technical explanations to address concerns.
Medical Reasons Behind Tariq’s Action
Tariq is reported to have double-jointed elbows, which prevents him from fully straightening his arm, creating a unique bowling style that can be misunderstood.
Similar cases have occurred in Cricket history, such as Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan, who faced similar challenges due to congenital deformation but was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
The introduction of the 15-degree flexion rule during former ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya’s term clarified guidelines for bowlers with natural hyperextension, allowing them to bowl as long as they stayed within certain limits.
Tariq’s bowling features a short, zigzag run-up followed by a brief pause before each delivery. Critics argue that the pause and sidearm release could disrupt batters’ timing. However, ICC rules focus on consistency and arm extension rather than appearance.
Umpire Anil Chaudhary’s View on Tariq’s Action
In light of the growing scrutiny, Indian umpire Anil Chaudhary provided his assessment. After reviewing Tariq’s action on video, he declared it completely legal.
Chaudhary noted that although Tariq bowls from a slightly side-on position and includes a pause, there is no observable bending or straightening of his arm beyond the allowed limits. He highlighted that Tariq delivers every ball consistently, meeting the required standards.
“In my opinion, his action is fair, and this is a fair delivery,” Chaudhary stated, reinforcing that unusual does not equate to illegal.
