Usman Tariq has been accused of chucking and illegal bowling action.
Former India cricketers Shreevats Goswami, R. Ashwin, and Aakash Chopra got into a debate while discussing the legality of Pakistani spinner Usman Tariq’s bowling action, which has sparked a huge argument in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026.
Against the USA, Usman Tariq claimed three wickets. Group A was won by Pakistan. Nevertheless, his bowling movement was the source of the greatest roar following the game, not the victory.
During Pakistan's T20 World Cup match in Colombo, social media was ablaze with the typical "chucking" charges. However, the argument moved beyond the comments area this time.
Shreevats Goswami, R. Ashwin, and Aakash Chopra got into a debate about Tariq’s bowling action. Goswami went first, stating how footballers are not allowed to pause before taking a penalty; similarly, bowlers shouldn’t be allowed to pause before delivering the ball.
“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!” Goswami posted on X, including a video of Tariq bowling.
R. Ashwin took offense to that and quoted Goswami’s post and stated that batters are given preferential treatment, as they don’t inform before changing stances to perform switch hits.
“Agree, football doesn’t allow it! While the batter can be allowed to switch hit or reverse without informing the umpire or bowler after he/she commits to start batting on one side, why are the restrictions only limited to the bowler? In fact, the bowler isn’t allowed to change the arm with which he/she bowls without informing the umpire! They should first change that rule,” R Ashwin stated.
Aakash Chopra entered the debate and supported Ashwin, saying that while the pause in Tariq’s action is fine, he asked how he can generate such speed in his bowling without any run-up and not bending his arm.
“I feel ‘pause’ is absolutely fine. But I do have a very specific bowling question—if there’s no momentum generated by the run-up, is it possible to increase your pace by 20-25 km on certain deliveries without bending the arm?” Chopra stated.
To refresh your memory, the ICC has already cleared Tariq twice. His elbow extension is within the allowed range of 15 degrees. He has even described his naturally bent arm as a result of a biological issue.
R. Ashwin explained his stance on Usman Tariq’s bowling action and stated that the pause he takes is absolutely fine as it is part of his bowling action. Coming to the 15-degree arm bend rule, he stated that the on-field umpire couldn't judge that, and it must be done in real time by some tool.
“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 center. Secondly, there is a 15° rule under which a bowler needs to keep his elbow straight and to judge if a bowler is bowling within that 15° mark by the on-field 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 of utilizing 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,” Ashwin stated on X.