Tim David and Usman Tariq (Source: AFP)
Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq has finally broken his silence over the growing criticism surrounding his bowling action after Australian all-rounder Tim David recently questioned its legality during The Hundred 2026.
It is important to note that the controversy has once again put the 28-year-old in the spotlight, months after Australian all-rounder Cameron Green had also expressed doubts over his bowling action.
Usman Tariq Responds To Bowling Action Critics Raised By Tim David
Speaking on the Beard Before Wicket podcast, Usman strongly defended himself. He said that professional cricketers should leave such matters to the officials instead of raising objections on the field.
Reacting to Tim David’s gesture and appeal against his bowling action, he said players should understand the laws of the game and trust the umpires to do their job.
"This is not your job. You are not the one who will pinpoint these things."
The Pakistan spinner said the umpires are already responsible for monitoring bowling actions and taking any necessary action if they believe a bowler has a suspect action.
"The umpires are already there, and they are the ones who are going to question me. So being a professional player, I think we should be way more mature and intelligent to know the rules of this game."
Also Read: Why Did PCB Ignore Abrar Ahmed And Usman Tariq For National Champions Cup 2026 Squads?
Why Did Tim David Question Usman Tariq's Bowling Action?
The latest controversy between Tim David and Usman took place during Birmingham Phoenix's clash against Trent Rockets in The Hundred 2026 at Edgbaston on July 24.
Chasing a massive target of 215, David was dismissed for just two runs after edging Tariq's ball to wicketkeeper Joe Clarke.
As the umpire gave him out, Tim David immediately appealed for the delivery to be called a no-ball. He even attempted to review the decision, but the appeal was unsuccessful as the given out.
The incident quickly became one of the biggest talking points from the match, with many interpreting Tim David's actions as an accusation that Tariq was 'chucking' the ball.
Is Usman Tariq's Bowling Legal Or Illegal?
The fact that cannot be denied is that Usman Tariq's bowling action has always been in the limelight. His action is talked about due to its distinctive stop-and-pause delivery before releasing the ball.
While the unusual rhythm often catches batters by surprise, several have repeatedly pointed out that an unconventional action does not automatically make it illegal.
According to the ICC regulations, a bowling action is only considered illegal if a bowler straightens the elbow by more than 15 degrees before releasing the ball.
Tariq has previously been reported during the PSL, but subsequent biomechanical testing at the PCB-accredited laboratory in Lahore confirmed that his elbow extension remained within the legal limit. So it can be concluded that Usman Tariq's bowling action is legal.
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