Former international umpire Anil Chaudhary has officially deemed the bowling action of Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq as being legal. This decision comes following inspection of Usman Tariq’s actions throughout the recent Pakistan T20I series against Australia where on-field incidents gave rise to the rekindling of various discussions regarding the legalities of his method of bowling.
Controversy Erupts After Cameron Green’s On-Field Gesture
The doubts about the action of Usman Tariq were further fueled in the second T20I when Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was seen making a chucking gesture after being bowled by the spinner. The incident, which was live on television, soon went viral on social media sites, with people questioning whether the Pakistani spinner was chucking the ball.
Anil Chaudhary Explains Why Usman Tariq’s Action Is Legal
According to the Indian umpire, Usman Tariq’s bowling action is legal. #PakistanCricket #PakVsInd pic.twitter.com/cWGc9lpvVW
— Hamza (@HamzaRevelion) February 2, 2026
To address the issue, former umpire Anil Chaudhary posted a detailed analysis on his Instagram handle, which clears all doubts related to the technicalities of Tariq’s bowling action.
Analysis by Chaudhary:
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- Tariq has a side-on bowling action
- There is a consistent delivery pattern for all types of deliveries
There is no bending and straightening of the elbow beyond the allowed limits
A brief pause in the bowling action does not make it illegal
Chaudhary concluded that the bowling action is “different but fair,” which strictly adheres to all legal requirements as per the laws of the game.
Usman Khawaja Backs Tariq Amid Allegations
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Another former Australian cricketer who supported the Pakistan spinner is former Australian batter Usman Khawaja. He highlighted the mental toll that such accusations can take and urged people to be more understanding and measured in their response.
Usman Khawaja pointed out that the action of Usman Tariq has already been cleared on several occasions and said that the stigma of being called a chucker is one of the toughest in cricket.
Past Scrutiny During the Pakistan Super League
This is not the first incident in which the action of Usman Tariq has been questioned. The spinner has been reported twice in the previous seasons of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Both times, Tariq has undergone biomechanical analysis and has been cleared to play, with his action found to be within the ICC’s permissible limits.
Rising Career Despite Controversy
Despite the continuous limelight, Tariq’s career is moving ahead. He debuted in T20I in November 2025 and has already picked eight wickets in three international innings. His performance has increased his chances of being selected in the plans of Pakistan.
Eyes on Usman Tariq at T20 World Cup 2026
With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 looming on the horizon, it is likely that the action of Usman Tariq will continue to be closely monitored. Nevertheless, with the necessary clearances and support from authoritative voices in the cricketing world, the spinner is ready to take the field with his head held high.
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