Former Indian umpire Anil Chaudhary has defended Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq amid ongoing allegations of an illegal bowling action, stating in a video shared on social media that the bowler’s action is completely legal. Chaudhary said he recently reviewed footage of Tariq’s deliveries and found no evidence of rule violations.
Chaudhary explained that Tariq uses a side-arm action, pauses briefly before releasing the ball, and has a bowling style that differs from conventional spinners. According to him, Tariq delivers all balls with the same motion and does not bend or straighten his arm beyond permissible limits, making his action compliant with International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations.
Tariq’s bowling action has long been considered unorthodox. He employs a noticeable slinging motion while delivering off-breaks, accompanied by a slight bend in the arm and a momentary pause before release. Under ICC rules, a bowling action is only illegal if the elbow extends more than 15 degrees during the delivery stride, excluding natural hyperextension.
The controversy resurfaced during Pakistan’s second T20I against Australia when all-rounder Cameron Green, dismissed by Tariq, alleged that the bowler was chucking. A clip from the match went viral on social media, reigniting debate over Tariq’s unconventional action.
Tariq has previously been reported twice for a suspect action while playing for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League in 2024 and 2025. On both occasions, he underwent biomechanical testing at Lahore’s National Cricket Academy and was cleared to continue bowling. Despite these clearances, scrutiny of his action has persisted, including after Pakistan’s win over South Africa in November.
During last month’s ILT20, Tariq addressed criticism from England batter Tom Banton, asserting that repeated allegations arise from a lack of understanding of his style. He emphasized that he had been cleared twice and had not been asked to modify his bowling technique.
Former Australian batter Usman Khawaja also voiced strong support for Tariq, urging fans and players to avoid rushing to conclusions. Khawaja described the stigma around being labeled a “chucker” as damaging and highlighted Tariq’s cleared tests, calling for perspective and understanding.
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