Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced his backing for Pakistan’s Usman Tariq following scrutiny over Tariq’s bowling action during the T20 World Cup 2026. Tariq’s impressive performance of 3-27 in Pakistan’s recent win over the USA drew attention to his action, raising concerns about its legality in international cricket circles. The debate around Tariq’s bowling action intensified after all-rounder Cameron Green expressed doubts during Pakistan’s series against Australia.
Ashwin questioned the disparity in regulations faced by bowlers compared to batters, highlighting the restrictions on bowlers like informing the umpire before changing the arm with which they bowl. The debate further escalated on social media, with some users criticizing Ashwin’s viewpoint. Ashwin clarified that only official testing at an ICC bowling action center could conclusively determine the legality of Tariq’s action, emphasizing the need for real-time in-competition testing tools.
