Ravichandran Ashwin demands clear rules after Daryl Mitchell-Usman Tariq controversy in PSL 2026

The ongoing Pakistan Super League 2026 (PSL 2026) gave fans a different kind of drama in Karachi, where a strange moment between New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell and Pakistan's mystery spinner Usman Tariq caught the attention across the border.

Everybody has been talking about a moment from the PSL 2025 match between Quetta Gladiators and Pindiz. This game was eventually won by the Quetta Gladiators on April 10 in Karachi.

Big drama in PSL 2026 as Daryl Mitchell refused to face Usman Tariq twice

It all happened during Pindiz’s chase when the flow of the game was disturbed, all thanks to Usman Tariq. Tariq's bowling action is already under the scanner because of his "stop-start" pause at the crease and his arm action.

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However, the Pakistani spinner cleared every time in the past, but he was seemingly seen chucking in that PSL 2026 game, so Daryl Mitchell instantly refused to face him.

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Mitchell twice pulled away from the crease just before delivery. Actually, Tariq used his trademark delayed action at the crease, which disturbed the New Zealander’s timing.

The Pindiz batter looked uncomfortable and stepped away twice, as he was not happy with the inconsistency in the bowler’s run-up and release. Yet, Tariq was allowed to continue bowling by the umpires even without a formal warning.

Daryl Mitchell twice pulls out of facing Usman Tariq 😂🤣😭 pic.twitter.com/HlDgOWMlPs

— Taimoor Zaman (@taimoor_ze) April 10, 2026

Ravichandran Ashwin defends Daryl Mitchell; sends a strong message to match officials

This left the former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin baffled. He believes that batters have the right to step away if they feel the bowler is not being consistent with their action.

Ashwin feels that it is the job of umpires and match officials to keep such things under control. If the timing of the bowler’s action keeps changing, then the batter should be allowed to reset without any issue. He feels teams should talk about such things before the match to avoid confusion later.

Ravichandran Ashwin posted, X: “Now it’s up to the umpires and match referees to time the pause for his delivery. If the pause ⌚️ isn’t consistent, then the batter has every right to move away. The captains & opposition batters should raise this issue with the umpires and match referees before the game begins. Well done, Mitchell. 👏👏

Now it’s upto the umpires and match referees to time the pause for his delivery.

If the pause ⌚️ isn’t consistent, then the batter has every right to move away.

The captains & opposition batters should raise this issue with the umpires and match referees before the game begins.… https://t.co/16dreiVxlL

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) April 11, 2026

Ramiz Raja vs Ravichandran Ashwin on Daryl Mitchell–Usman Tariq drama

On commentary, Ramiz Raja slammed Mitchell and said that he should have handled the situation in a calmer way or adjusted instead of reacting again and again. However, Ashwin felt that both players were actually right in their own way but noted that the bowler is allowed to have a unique action, so the batter also has the right to feel comfortable before facing the ball.

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Ashwin stressed that the main issue is consistency. He explained that if the bowler’s pause is the same every time, then it is fine, but if it keeps changing from ball to ball, then it can disturb the batter’s timing. That is why the former Indian all-rounder believes umpires should carefully watch the timing of the pause and make sure everything stays fair for both sides.

Mitchell is right✅
So is Tariq ✅

The timing of the pause should be timed to see if he delays it ball to ball. https://t.co/nOeEsJh6vw

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) April 11, 2026

Despite this drama, Tariq bowled really well and picked up two wickets to help Quetta Gladiators restrict Pindiz to 121 to win the PSL 2026 clash by 61 runs on Friday in Karachi.