Usman Tariq [Source: AFP]In an unexpected scene that unfolded in the PSL 2026 season, Daryl Mitchell refused to face Usman Tariq due to his unusual bowling action. After the incident went viral, ex-Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin came out in support of Mitchell.During a match involving Rawalpindiz and Quetta Gladiators, Mitchell repeatedly pulled out of his stance just as Tariq was about to deliver the ball. The reason was Tariq’s distinct pause in his bowling action, which can disrupt a batter’s timing. Ashwin launches scathing attack on Usman TariqDaryl Mitchell backed away twice before delivery, and one delivery was eventually called a dead ball. It reached a point where Mitchell just refused to face Usman Tariq, forcing the umpires to intervene and calm things down.While Mitchell faced criticism from the Pakistan fans, Indian legend Ravichandran Ashwin praised him wholeheartedly. In a tweet, Ashwin said umpires must address this matter and time the pause. Ashwin argued that if the pause is inconsistent, it leads to heavy disruption to the batter. Hence, captains and umpires must look into this before the game even begins to ensure such incidents are not repeated.Ashwin 🇮🇳 @ashwinravi99 Now it’s upto the umpires and match referees to time the pause for his delivery. If the pause ⌚️ isn’t consistent, then the batter has every right to move away. The captains & opposition batters should raise this issue with the umpires and match referees before the game begins. Also Read - Steve Smith Signs For A New Tournament While Playing In PSLDaryl Mitchell followed Ashwin’s cue?Interestingly, the role of Ravichandran Ashwin in this PSL 2026 incident runs deeper. During the T20 World Cup 2026, the ex-Indian spinner had openly suggested that if a bowler pauses unpredictably, batters have the right to step away.He even challenged players to actually try it in a match. Daryl Mitchell essentially accepted that “dare”, becoming the first high-profile player to apply this tactic in real match conditions.Hence, it's only natural for Ashwin to praise Mitchell’s tactic. And Daryl, on this part, wasn’t just being difficult. He was making a statement that if he can’t predict when the ball is coming, he won’t face it. It forces umpires to judge consistency in the bowler’s action.Quetta Gladiators hammer Rawalpindiz in PSL 2026Coming back to the game, Quetta Gladiators delivered a commanding all-round performance to secure a massive 61-run victory over Rawalpindiz at the National Stadium, Karachi, piling more misery on a struggling opposition.Batting first, Quetta posted a strong total of 182/6, with Rilee Rossouw leading the charge through a composed 53-run knock. He found solid support from Saud Shakeel, as the duo ensured Quetta finished strongly despite facing a decent pace attack.In response, Rawalpindiz’s chase never gained momentum. Wickets fell at regular intervals. Saad Masood showed some resistance with a fight at 31 but lacked support from the other end.Quetta’s bowling unit then took full control of the match. Usman Tariq impressed with figures of 2/23, while Saud Shakeel and Jahandad Khan chipped in with two wickets each to dismantle Rawalpindiz for just 121.Also Read - Bangladesh ODI Squad Vs New Zealand Announced; Mustafizur Rahman's PSL Journey Halted
