ICC called for banning full sleeves for Usman Tariq in India vs Pakistan clash

Fresh controversy has exploded before the India vs Pakistan clash in Colombo on Sunday (February 15), as Irfan Pathan has made a bold appeal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) ahead of the big T20 World Cup 2026 match over Usman Tariq.

Don’t let Usman Tariq bowl with full sleeves: Irfan Pathan to ICC

The former Indian all-rounder urged the ICC not to allow Pakistan’s mystery spinner Usman Tariq to bowl in half sleeves because of his suspicious bowling action that already has everyone’s attention. Pathan believes that the match officials must clearly see a bowler’s arm movement.

The former World Cup winner boldly mentioned that some bowlers with doubtful actions preferred full sleeves, and that made it harder to judge how much the arm bends during delivery. He feels clear visibility is very important in high-pressure matches like India vs Pakistan.

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Irfan Pathan said in a video posted on his YouTube channel, “My request to the ICC is that if there is even a little bit of doubt on a bowler’s action, don’t let him bowl with full sleeves. Ask them to bowl in half sleeves, as it would give you a better idea. You can’t see how much the arm is getting bent in full sleeves. Even if you look in the past, all the bowlers who had a problem in their action used to bowl with full sleeves.”

Pathan urges match officials to stay alert

Pathan has pointed out that Tariq’s normal deliveries look fine, but the faster one comes after a small pause in the action, and that’s where the match officials need to pay close attention.

The cricket pundit added, “I feel that his (Usman Tariq’s) hand doesn’t bend much while bowling normal balls. But when he takes that pause and bowls a faster one, you need to keep an eye on that. You need to watch his hand when the speed increases.”

He also shared an interesting suggestion from umpire Ajay Verma. He said the on-field umpire should stay slightly bent so that the bowler’s arm stays in clear view against the sight screen.

Pathan signed off by saying, “Ajay Verma’s advice was that the umpire should remain a little bent. Even his hat or cap should be a black one. If the umpire is bent, the bowler’s hand would come in front of the sight screen.”

Read Also: Jasprit Bumrah handed help by Irfan Pathan to dismiss Sahibzada Farhan in India vs Pakistan clash

Salman Ali Agha breaks the silence on Usman Tariq buzz

However, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha kept things calm despite all the noise around Tariq ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 clash in Colombo.

The Pakistan captain said, “People are entitled to their opinion, and they can say what they want to say. I can tell you, Tariq himself doesn’t care. He is smart and mature. For us, he is just one of the 15 players, nothing more, nothing less.”