Usman Tariq Gets IPL Star’s Support Amid Chucking Controversy With Tim David

Tim David and Usman Tariq [Source: AFP]

Usman Tariq, the Pakistan spinner who has risen to prominence due to his peculiar bowling action and effective performances during the T20 World Cup and the Pakistan Super League, has once again found himself in the middle of a searing controversy. 

A few days ago, Tim David, the Australian batter currently playing in The Hundred, raised serious questions over Pakistan spinner Tariq's bowling action after being dismissed by him during a men's Hundred match on Friday. 

David, who was representing Trent Rockets against Tariq's Birmingham Phoenix, was dismissed by a delivery outside off stump that was caught by the wicketkeeper. After his dismissal, he appeared to suggest to the umpire that the delivery should be declared a no-ball because of an illegal bowling action. 

However, Tariq's delivery was deemed perfectly legal by the umpires and under the ICC rulebook, with David having to accept the dismissal. Days later, Usman Tariq has responded to Tim David's questions over the legality of his bowling action after receiving support from West Indies all-rounder and KKR superstar Sunil Narine. 

Sunil Narine Helps To Reply Usman Tariq On Chucking Controversy

For the unaware, Sunil Narine has also faced similar troubles and controversies due to his peculiar bowling action, having been accused of chucking as well. 

After years of success as a mystery spinner, Narine had to change his bowling action in 2015-16 after being suspended from international cricket following an independent assessment that found his deliveries exceeded the legal 15-degree limit. 

Usman Tariq's action, however, remains within the legal limit and has also been approved by the ICC. Replying to Tim David's questions over the legality of his action, Tariq shared how Sunil Narine helped him respond to his critics. 

According to Tariq, Narine had a conversation with him, supported his bowling action, and pointed out that there was nothing wrong with it, as the two had a detailed discussion. 

"Sunil Narine called me and spoke with me for about half an hour. He said, 'Don't respond to the gestures they're making. Just keep doing what you're doing.' He also said, 'They're behaving like this because they can't figure you out or get the better of you right now. That's why they're acting this way.' He added that every batter who has made these kinds of gestures did so only after getting out. Narine explained everything to me very thoroughly," Tariq shared.

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What Did Tariq Say To Tim David Earlier?

Earlier, after David's comments, Usman Tariq gave a straightforward reply to the critics and the Australian batter as well with a hint of sarcasm.

“It is not the batter’s job to do these things. The umpires and match referee are there to watch everything. If I am allowed to bowl by the umpire, it means my bowling action is legal," Tariq said in an interview, as quoted by PTI.

Tariq, who has a unique pause in his bowling action, has previously also been reported by other batters in international cricket. However, his action has not yet been declared illegal. 

For the unaware, in The Hundred 2026, where Tariq is representing Birmingham Phoenix, he has not been as successful as he was previously. From four matches, he has managed to take only two wickets at an economy rate of 7.00 while striking every 37.0 balls.

Is Tariq’s Bowling Action Actually Legal?

Usman Tariq's pause-and-sling delivery style causes significant trouble for batters and also appears highly unusual to watch. However, as per the rules set by the International Cricket Council, his elbow straightens by no more than 15 degrees during the delivery phase, which means Tariq's bowling action is completely legal. 

Expert analysts like Ravichandran Ashwin have also noted that while Tariq's arm appears hyperextended while bowling, he does not actively flex and straighten it beyond the legal threshold at the point of release. 

The mid-stride pause is also permitted, as the Laws of Cricket do not explicitly prohibit a bowler from pausing, provided it is a natural and consistent part of their regular action rather than a deliberate attempt to distract the batter.

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