Colombo, Feb 13, KNT: Pakistan off-spinner Usman Tariq has emerged as one of the most talked-about bowlers at the Twenty20 World Cup, not just for his wickets but for a bowling action that has sparked debate across the cricketing world.
The 28-year-old’s distinctive style features a pronounced pause at the crease before he slings the ball toward the batter, a method that has unsettled opponents and attracted scrutiny. Tariq has already been reported twice in domestic cricket for a suspect action but was cleared on both occasions after biomechanical testing by Pakistani authorities.
The controversy largely centers on two aspects. First is cricket’s long-running “15-degree rule,” under which bowlers cannot straighten their elbow beyond 15 degrees during delivery. Determining that threshold in real time is nearly impossible for on-field umpires. Second is the unusual pause in Tariq’s delivery stride, which some critics argue disrupts a batter’s rhythm.
Despite the scrutiny, Tariq’s performances have drawn attention for the right reasons as well. He claimed three wickets against the United States in his first T20 World Cup appearance in Sri Lanka and has previously troubled established international players. Australia’s Cameron Green and South Africa’s Dewald Brevis were among those who struggled to read his variations.
Tariq’s rapid rise in T20 cricket includes a hat-trick at Rawalpindi during a tri-series against Zimbabwe, where he finished with figures of 4 for 18. In just four T20 internationals, he has picked up 11 wickets from 88 deliveries, reinforcing his reputation as a wicket-taking option.
He maintains that his action is natural and medically examined. “My arm bends naturally. I’ve been tested and cleared,” Tariq has said, describing it as a biological issue rather than a technical flaw.
With spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka, Pakistan selectors backed Tariq in the 15-man squad. As Pakistan prepares for high-profile matches, including a potential clash with India, all eyes will remain on the spinner whose pause-and-release technique continues to divide opinion while baffling batters.
