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Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq once again found himself at the centre of an ‘illegal action’ debate during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against United States of America (USA). However, controversy did little to overshadow his impact with the ball.
Tariq delivered a match-defining performance, claiming three crucial wickets – Milind Kumar, Harmeet Singh and Mohammad Mohsin – while conceding just 27 runs in his four overs. His disciplined off-spin proved decisive as Pakistan successfully defended a total of 190, sealing a 32-run victory.
At a time when pressure was mounting during the middle overs, Tariq’s spell halted USA’s chase and shifted momentum firmly in Pakistan’s favour.
Controversy over Usman Tariq’s bowling action
Despite his impressive figures, attention quickly turned to Tariq’s unconventional bowling style. The spinner has previously been reported twice during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), though he was cleared on both occasions after undergoing testing.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup, during Pakistan’s home series against Australia, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was seen angrily mimicking Tariq’s action after being dismissed by him. Green later apologised upon reviewing replays, acknowledging that his reaction had been misplaced.
Tariq has consistently maintained that his action complies with ICC regulations, offering medical and technical explanations to clarify doubts.
Medical explanation behind Tariq’s action
In medical terms, Tariq reportedly has double-jointed elbows, which prevent him from fully straightening his arm. This anatomical feature gives his bowling action a unique appearance, often leading to misinterpretation.
Cricket history has seen similar cases. Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan had a congenital deformity that restricted the straightening of his bowling arm, sparking years of controversy before being cleared.
The introduction of the 15-degree flexion rule, implemented during the tenure of former ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya, provided clearer guidelines and allowed bowlers with natural hyperextension to continue without penalty, provided they remained within permissible limits.
Tariq’s bowling action features a short, zigzag run-up followed by a brief pause before delivery. While the pause and sidearm release appear unusual, they are consistent across all deliveries. Critics argue that such variations could give a bowler an advantage by disrupting a batter’s rhythm.
However, under ICC regulations, consistency and arm extension are the key factors in determining legality – not aesthetics.
Umpire Anil Chaudhary’s take on Tariq’s action
Amid the renewed scrutiny, respected Indian umpire Anil Chaudhary offered a clear and decisive opinion. After reviewing footage of Tariq’s bowling, Chaudhary stated that the action is completely legal.
He explained that although Tariq bowls slightly side-on and incorporates a pause, there is no visible bending or straightening of the arm beyond permitted limits. Importantly, he emphasized that the spinner delivers every ball in the same manner, satisfying the requirement for consistency.
“In my opinion, his action is fair, and this is a fair delivery,” Chaudhary said, reinforcing that unusual does not automatically mean illegal.
