By Syed Muhammad Yaseen Hashmi
Pakistan’s mystery spinner Usman Tariq has sparked a major debate among Indian cricket fans, former players, and the media ahead of the World T20 Cup match against Pakistan on February 15. The controversy revolves around Usman’s bowling action.
Former Indian cricketer Akash Chopra and several cricket YouTubers have urged the ICC to re-examine Usman’s bowling action. However, Pakistan’s former Test captain Moin Khan emphasized that Usman is proving to be a dangerous bowler in T20 cricket, which is why India is concerned.
Usman’s bowling action was tested twice last year after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and cleared each time, yet questions continue to be raised in India. Former elite panel umpire Anil Choudhary and spinner Ravichandra Nishon stated that Usman’s action is completely legal, and the main challenge for batsmen is his ability to bowl with deceptive pace and variations.
Notably, on February 1, during a T20 match between Pakistan and Australia in Lahore, Usman dismissed Cameron Green, which reignited the debate about his action. Usman has also taken three wickets against the USA in a recent World Cup match. According to Pakistan’s former batsman and head coach Mohsin Khan, Indian batsmen are anxious about whether they can read Usman’s bowling, which explains the ongoing stir in Indian media.
About The Author
