Pakistan’s mystery spinner Usman Tariq performed impressively in the T20 World Cup match against the United States. However, his bowling action drew criticism from Indian domestic cricketer Shrivastava Goswami.
Tariq was then defended by an unlikely person, the former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. He gave a detailed and sharp response.
In the clash against United States, spinner Usman Tariq performed brilliantly, He was able to claim three wickets.
Shrivastava Gosawani, the Indian domestic cricketer and commentator shared the clips of Usman’s bowling on social media and questioned his bowling action.
He questioned whether the bowling action of Usman Tariq is legal.
On his social media Gosawani said that even in football, players cannot pause mid-action during a penalty kick. He questioned how pausing during a delivery can be acceptable in cricket.
He further added that such actions cannot go on for a long time.
Ashwin’s response
The former Indian off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin known for his clever variations came to the defence of Usman Tariq and he responded directly to Goswami.
He said that pauses are not allowed in football but also pointed out the double standards in cricket.
He said that batters can always play reverse sweep whenever they want without informing the bowler, they are also able to switch hands mid-shot. So he asked why are bowlers restricted.
He further added that bowlers cannot change hands mid-delivery without informing the umpire and
He also added that a player’s bowling action can only be tested by ICC Bowling Action Testing Centre.
Ashwin said that the pause that Usman Tariq takes is completely legal as that is his natural bowling action.
In his tweet he also mentioned that any action with an elbow extension up to 15 degrees is legal.
Also read: Pak vs USA T20 World Cup 2026 match today: Pakistan beat USA
