Cameron Green accused Usman Tariq of chucking [Source: @OneCricketApp/x.com]Cricket controversies have a habit of popping up when you least expect them and the Pakistan vs Australia T20I series in Lahore has now produced one more spicy moment. Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq has seemingly taken a dig at Australian all-rounder Cameron Green through an Instagram story after the latter appeared to accuse him of chucking during Saturday’s second T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium. Pakistan dominated the match from start to finish, sealing a crushing 90-run victory and taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Australia, completely outplayed, were rolled for 108 in 15.4 overs, with all ten wickets falling to spin. It was Australia’s heaviest T20I defeat in 21 years. The moment that sparked the controversy The flashpoint arrived during the 11th over of Australia’s chase. Cameron Green attempted to take on Tariq but ended up miscuing a wide delivery towards point. He was dismissed for 35, leaving Australia in deep trouble at 6/76, and the chase quickly collapsed after that. However, what really got people talking wasn’t just the wicket. As Green made his way back to the dugout, he was seen mimicking a baseball-style throwing motion. The gesture was widely interpreted as Green hinting at an illegal bowling action, essentially suggesting Tariq was chucking. There has been no official confirmation of any complaint being filed by the Australian camp or match officials, but the body language was strong enough to set social media on fire. Tariq’s Instagram reply that went viral Usman Tariq didn’t let the moment slide. On Sunday morning, the Pakistan spinner appeared to respond in his own way. He posted footage of a crying child on Instagram and captioned it, “After getting out,” along with a laughing emoji. Fans quickly picked sides with Pakistani supporters enjoying the response while Australian fans called it unnecessary and provocative.Sheri. @CallMeSheri1_ Usman Tariq's Instagram story. 😂 Feb 1, 2026, 8:54 AM Usman Tariq’s unorthodox action and why it gets questionedThe reason Tariq is often discussed in bowling action debates is simple. His action looks unusual. He pauses close to the point of delivery and almost comes to a complete halt before releasing the ball. His off-breaks come with a slinging motion and there is a noticeable bend in his arm, which makes it look suspicious to many viewers, especially in slow-motion clips. But looking odd and being illegal are two different things, and that is where the ICC rules come in. Under ICC regulations, a bowling action becomes illegal if the elbow extends more than 15 degrees during the delivery stride, which runs from when the bowling arm reaches horizontal to the moment the ball is released. Importantly, any natural elbow hyperextension is discounted while assessing legality. This matters because certain bowlers have naturally bent arms and unusual flex that can look illegal to fans, even when it isn’t. Tariq has been reported twice in the PSL but cleared both times The chucking questions around Tariq are not new. He has reportedly been flagged twice for a suspected illegal action while playing for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League, once in the 2024 season and again in 2025. However, after both incidents, Tariq underwent biomechanical testing at Lahore’s National Cricket Academy and experts cleared his action on both occasions. As a result, he was permitted to continue bowling in the league. Tariq’s double-jointed elbow defence Tariq has repeatedly explained that the bend in his arm is natural. Last year, he claimed the unusual look of his action is linked to a physical condition, saying he has a double-jointed elbow. “I do have two elbows in my arm. My arm bends naturally,” Tariq told MYK Sports. He also stressed that the issue is biological and not something he intentionally does to gain advantage, insisting he has already been tested and cleared.
