Ashwin and Usman Tariq [Source: X]Usman Tariq has been under a controversial period for his dubious pause-style bowling run-up, where he pauses for a good 1–2 seconds before delivering the ball from his run-up to the batter. While his move has attracted criticism, doubts, and controversy, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed him for his pause-style bowling. During the Pakistan versus USA game, Usman Tariq was the highest wicket-taker with his three-wicket haul from four overs, where he gave away 27 runs. Usman Tariq called out for being a ‘chucker’ Usman Tariq’s three wickets in the USA game, though not all of them were crucial, included the scalp of Milind Kumar for 29 off 22, which was a vital one and also marked the maiden wicket in the T20 World Cup for Usman Tariq. This action, earlier called out by Cameron Green during the Australia vs Pakistan T20 series as chucking, has again been questioned by former Indian player Shreevats Goswami. Shreevats Goswami calls for immediate action on Tariq Taking to his official social media handle, Shreevats Goswami wrote, “Even football doesn't allow players to pause during a penalty run-up anymore. How is this okay? Action all good, but pause, that too while loading to deliver. This can't be continued, seriously.”Shreevats goswami @shreevats1 Even football doesn’t allow players to pause during a penalty run-up anymore. How is this ok? Action - all good. But pause ? That too while loading to deliver. This can’t be continued seriously ! #WorldCup2026 Feb 10, 2026, 9:59 PM Goswami's tweet explains Usman Tariq's action to a very clear point. While Usman Tariq takes a short run-up, he pauses just before delivering the ball, which often confuses the batter’s timing.Nevertheless, there has been no objection from either the ICC or the match referees regarding his controversial bowling action till now. Ashwin backs Usman Tariq’s ‘pause and deliver’ action However, in a twisted incident, Ravichandran Ashwin backed Usman Tariq’s action. Ashwin, who is known to vocalise his thoughts against the Pakistan cricket team, has surprisingly supported Tariq for his action. Ravichandran Ashwin took to his official social media handle on Twitter and began by agreeing with the football laws. However, he particularly debated the difference between a batter's action and a bowler's action. Ravichandran Ashwin wrote that while a batter is allowed to switch-hit or reverse without informing the umpire or bowler after committing to bat on one side, why are restrictions limited only to the bowler? In fact, a bowler is not allowed to change the arm with which he or she bowls without informing the umpire. He added that this rule should be changed first.Ashwin 🇮🇳 @ashwinravi99 Agree football doesn’t allow it! 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 From Ashwin's perspective, it appeared to be more of a batter-versus-bowler debate, where he was vouching not only for Usman Tariq in particular but in favour of bowlers overall.Ashwin’s history of a ‘pause and deliver’ action Surprisingly, for those unaware, Ravichandran Ashwin himself has used a pause-style run-up in his bowling. Earlier in his career, around 2012 and 2013, he would stop or slow down his momentum just before delivering the ball, similar to what Usman Tariq is doing. This hitch in his delivery stride often frustrated opponents in international as well as domestic cricket. In 2019, his pause was described as potentially falling outside the spirit of cricket by the MCC. The pause was considered too long and designed to manipulate the batter's timing. This was part of his frequent experimentation with his action to unsettle batters. However, Ravichandran Ashwin later modified his bowling style after the controversy and still managed to get the better of the batters.Shreevats Goswami further took to X to respond to Ashwin.Shreevats goswami @shreevats1 Reverse sweep was first played in 1964 and it’s still debatable ? Ok. We are talking about the “ pause “ here. “ PAUSE “. A batter doesn’t take stance, look away, pause & then reset before the ball is delivered. He/she is absolutely ready for whatever the bowler has to offer. Ashwin then came up with a clarification insisting that the current ICC rules make room for grey areas which should be eliminated.Ashwin 🇮🇳 @ashwinravi99 Okay, let me make it as clear as possible. Firstly, the legalities of his action can only be tested at an ICC bowling action testing Centre. Secondly, there is a 15° rule under which a bowler needs to keep his elbow and straighten it and to judge if a bowler is bowling within Feb 11, 2026, 9:52 AM
