Pakistan Spinner Usman Tariq Responds to Cameron Green's Gesture Over Bowling Action
Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq posted on social media following an incident where Australian all-rounder Cameron Green appeared to question his bowling action during the second T20 in Lahore. The gesture from Green came after Tariq dismissed him for 35 runs. Pakistan secured a 90-run victory, taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The On-Field Incident and Social Media Reply
Following his dismissal, Cameron Green made a throwing motion, seemingly suggesting an illegal bowling action. In response, Usman Tariq posted footage of a crying child on Instagram, accompanied by the caption "After getting out," and a laughing emoji.
Usman Tariq posted footage of a crying child on Instagram, accompanied by the caption "After getting out," with a laughing emoji.
Tariq finished the match with figures of 2-16 from 2.4 overs. As of this report, neither the Australian team nor the umpires have lodged a formal complaint regarding Tariq's bowling action.
Tariq's Bowling Action Under Scrutiny
Usman Tariq's bowling action features an unorthodox pause at delivery and a pronounced bend in his arm. He has played in domestic T20 leagues since 2023. Under ICC regulations, a bowling action is deemed illegal if a player's elbow extends more than 15 degrees during the delivery stride, with natural hyperextension discounted.
Previous Clearances and Personal Explanation
Despite its unconventional appearance, Tariq's action has undergone scrutiny and been cleared on multiple occasions. He has been reported twice for a suspected illegal action while playing for the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. On both occasions, biomechanical testing at Lahore's National Cricket Academy cleared his action, allowing him to continue bowling.
Tariq has attributed the bent arm to a physical condition, stating he has a "biological issue" that causes his arm to bend naturally. He has dismissed allegations of chucking, emphasizing that official tests have confirmed the legality of his action. Tariq has previously criticized individuals who comment on his bowling action without understanding cricket regulations.
Tariq has attributed the bent arm to a physical condition, stating he has a "biological issue" that causes his arm to bend naturally.
Other Cricketers and Action Scrutiny
The issue of bowling actions is not uncommon in cricket, with several other players having faced similar scrutiny. Pakistan's fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain was banned in 2022 after biomechanical testing confirmed his action was illegal, requiring remedial work. Australian spinner Matthew Kuhnemann was cited for a suspect action in 2023 but was later cleared. In 2020, Australian all-rounder Chris Green received a 90-day ban due to an illegal bowling action.