Trouble For Usman Tariq! ICC Finds Permanent Solution For Illegal Bowling Actions

Usman Tariq - (Source: AFP)

In the latest developments, the ICC has drafted changes to the existing set of cricket rules. The Jay Shah-led council will hold a meeting on May 30 in Ahmedabad, where the changes and amendments to the playing conditions will be discussed and passed.

The International Cricket Council has laid down several upgrades, but one that has caught everyone’s attention is the governing body’s heightened focus on the growing irregularities in bowling actions.

ICC To Take Strong Action For Illegal Action

Over the years, several players have come under the ICC radar for suspicious bowling actions. However, the current process is a tedious one. The on-field officials have no power, and it is only the ICC committee that takes action once a series gets over.

However, in the latest events, the ICC is planning to give on-field umpires special power by handing them a special device so that they can ban a player with illegal bowling action during the match.

“Giving on-field umpires access to HawkEye data to check bowlers for illegal actions during matches. How exactly the process will play out remains to be seen, but the ICC appears determined to crack down on bowlers with suspect actions,” read a report by Cricbuzz.

Usman Tariq In Trouble After ICC’s Latest Proposal

In current times, one bowler who has been making the news over suspicious bowling action is Usman Tariq. Notably, the Pakistan spinner has a weird action, which has now been called out by several professional cricketers.

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Recently, Australia toured Pakistan, where Cameron Green landed in hot water after he accused Usman Tariq of chucking. Notably, the Australian all-rounder had also gestured to the umpires about Tariq’s illegal action. Eventually, Green apologised to Usman Tariq.

After the Cameron Green incident, during PSL 2026, Daryl Mitchell backed off twice, as he was not happy with Usman Tariq’s bowling action and expressed his dissent.

Therefore, with the new rule, the umpires will now have on-field powers to check Usman Tariq’s action in real time and take a call if they find him guilty of suspicious bowling action. 

Usman Tariq Cleared Bowling Action In ICC Action

Notably, Usman Tariq has already cleared his action at the ICC centre in Lahore, Pakistan and was found that his action was clean.

"If the pause is obviously longer or shorter, or if he bowls without a pause, that will be considered deception", was one interpretation offered by former ICC umpire Anil Chaudhary said in the past. "Everything seems OK up to now. I am not seeing anything wrong."

ICC Rules Regarding Illegal Bowling Action

Notably, the ICC law stated that a bowling action is illegal if the elbow bends more than 15°.

"An illegal bowling action is a bowling action where the player's elbow extension exceeds 15 degrees between their arm reaching the horizontal and the ball being released," the International Cricket Council's playing conditions say.

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