Pakistan mystery spinner Usman Tariq revealed that West Indies legend Sunil Narine contacted him to offer guidance after his bowling action came under scrutiny during The Hundred. The off-spinner attracted attention after Australia batter Tim David questioned the legality of his action following his dismissal.
Tariq is representing Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred Men's 2026 season of The Hundred after signing a £140,000 contract. The incident occurred during the match against Trent Rockets at Edgbaston, where Tim David gestured a throwing motion toward the on-field umpires after Tariq dismissed him.
Sunil Narine Advises Usman Tariq to Ignore the Criticism
Speaking on former Pakistan cricketer Fawad Alam's YouTube channel, Usman Tariq revealed that Sunil Narine spoke with him for around 30 minutes. Tariq stated that the West Indies star advised him to ignore the reactions from opposition batters and stay focused on his bowling.
"Sunil Narine called me and spoke with me for about half an hour. He said, 'Don't respond to the gestures they're making. Just keep doing what you're doing.' He also said, 'They're behaving like this because they can't figure you out or get the better of you right now. That's why they're acting this way.'"
Tariq's bowling action has been questioned before, although he was cleared after undergoing official testing. The issue resurfaced during The Hundred after David questioned the legality of Tariq's action following his dismissal.
They Only Do It After Getting Out - Usman Tariq Reveals Sunil Narine's Advice
Usman Tariq said that Sunil Narine also explained why some batters react strongly after facing his bowling. Tariq stated that Narine revealed such gestures usually come from frustration after losing their wicket.
"He added that every batter who has made these kinds of gestures did so only after getting out. Narine explained everything to me very thoroughly."
Tim David is not the first international batter to question Tariq's action. Australia all-rounder Cameron Green previously mimicked a throwing motion during a T20I, while England batter Tom Banton also raised concerns during the International League T20 (ILT20).
Tim David Incident Puts Spotlight Back on Usman Tariq
The latest controversy took place during Birmingham Phoenix's The Hundred 2026 match against Trent Rockets at Edgbaston. Tim David edged a wide delivery from Usman Tariq to the wicketkeeper and was given out by the on-field umpire.
David gestured a throwing motion toward the umpire and appeared to ask for a no-ball because of Tariq's bowling action. The umpires rejected the appeal and upheld the dismissal. The controversy later continued on social media, where David commented on Tariq's bowling pause.
Tariq has impressed in his first season with Birmingham Phoenix. He has bowled 55 balls in three matches, conceded only 82 runs, and taken two wickets at an economy rate of 8.95 runs per 10 balls.
The spinner dismissed Finn Allen and Tim David on debut against Trent Rockets, followed it with an economical 0/17 against Southern Brave, and then returned figures of 0/29 against Welsh Fire.
Also read: PCB set to appoint Mike Smith as Pakistan's Test batting coach ahead of England series: Report
