 "Usman Tariq controversy: Can umpires intervene during match if pause while bowling is deemed illegal?")
Usman Tariq’s unique bowling action has captured the attention of the cricketing world. The Pakistan mystery spinner picked up three wickets in Pakistan’s second match at the ongoing T20 World Cup against the USA, whose batters seemed totally clueless against his bowling. While he has multiple variations up his sleeves, he also does not have one regular action with which he bowls, making it even tougher for batters to pick him.
Tariq delivers the ball through multiple actions, including a slinging low-arm one. Recently, during Pakistan’s 3-0 series win over Australia, Cameron Green suggested that Tariq's action was illegal and that the spinner was actually chucking.
The 28-year-old tall spinner had previously been under the scanner for his action as well. He has been checked for illegal action during two consecutive seasons of the Pakistan Super League, but has cleared the tests, done by the Pakistan Cricket Board, both times.
I'm watching this match and Usman Tariq's bowling action is really concerning me. 🤔 It looks like a clear chuck! 🏏 What are the ICC authorities doing about this? We need fair play! 🚨 #ICCMensT20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/kAJJ4G4Q8t
— Muffadal Johns. (@i_Vishal18) February 10, 2026
However, the International Cricket Council is yet to test his action, but that can only be done once the umpires think that the bend in his elbow is over the legal limits.
Can umpire stop Usman Tariq from bowling?
One of the most infamous acts of umpires stopping bowlers from bowling mid-match because of suspected chucking was during the early days of Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan’s career. The umpires then called Muralitharan’s action illegal during the match, which once also led tothe Sri Lankan team leaving the field in protest.
However, now the umpires cannot stop a bowler from bowling during a match. If the umpires find the action suspicious, that player is reported to the ICC and then tested. It is after the results of tests are out that the decision is made.
However, it is not the suspected elbow bend that is creating controversy with regard to Tariq. It is also his dramatic pause before delivering the ball that is irking some.
Even football doesn’t allow players to pause during a penalty run-up anymore.
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) February 10, 2026
How is this ok? Action - all good. But pause ? That too while loading to deliver. This can’t be continued seriously ! #WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/gIgsjV7RlX
In this case, the umpire can deem the pause unfair if he thinks that the bowler is doing so to distract the batter. The ball thus can be called a ‘dead ball’. Till now, no international umpire has called any of Tariq’s balls dead due to the pause, but the provision exists as per the ICC.
This rule was brought in by ICC in 2014 when bowlers like R Ashwin, Mohammed Hafeez, and some others used to stop midway through their delivery load-up. For a long time, bowlers have not employed the pause tactic before delivering the ball, but Tariq is on his way to revive the tradition.
As of now, his action is totally legal, and the pause has not been deemed unfair.
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