Pakistan's mystery spinner Usman Tariq has been under the scanner for his bowling action. Before the T20 World Cup 2026, Australia's Cameron Green wasn't happy with the Pakistan bowler's action as he walked back to the dugout during the T20I series. On February 10, he made his T20 World Cup debut against the USA and picked up three crucial wickets. As his action was hard to pick for USA batters, India's Under-19 World Cup 2008-winning opener Shreevats Goswami raised questions on the long pause before he delivers the ball. He mentioned how football players are not allowed to pause before taking penalty anymore. India's legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin defended Tariq's long pause as he replied to Goswami.
"How is this ok? Action - all good. But pause ? That too while loading to deliver. This can’t be continued seriously!" Goswami wrote on X.
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“Agree football doesn’t allow it!” Ashwin replied.
“While the batter can be allowed to switch hit or reverse without informing the umpire or bowler, after him/her 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.”
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Tariq’s impactful spell
Salman Agha-led Pakistan went into the game against USA in Colombo with a spin-heavy attack. Agha held back Tariq until the 12th over. The required run rate was climbing up and Tariq made it difficult to find boundaries. He conceded a six against Milind Kumar but made him his maiden T20 World Cup victim in the 16th over. He bowled the penultimate over and got the wickets of Harmeet Singh and Mohammad Mohsin. His spell helped Pakistan beat the USA by a comfortable margin of 32 runs.
Pakistan make it 2 in 2, India challenge awaits
The win helped Pakistan move to the top of the points table. They had a scare against the Netherlands in the campaign opener but won the game with three balls to spare.
Pakistan's next match is against India at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium on February 15. India have won seven out of eight T20 World Cup encounters against Pakistan. The only loss came in T20 World Cup 2021.