Usman Tariq a certified chucker? ICC umpire announces official verdict ahead of T20 World Cup

Pakistan Cricket and the players are in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. With the India vs Pakistan 2026 T20 World Cup match under clouds of uncertainty. Pakistan cricketer Usman Tariq has been in the headlines for his unorthodox action. In the second T20I against Australia, after picking up the wicket of the Aussie all-rounder Cameron Green, a video appeared of the latter while he was going back to the dressing room.

Cameron Green, while he was on his way back after being out, was furious, as he was caught showing a ‘chucking gesture’. This was the talk of the match and after the game as well, and it still has been. Ex-India ICC umpire Anil Chaudhary has his say on Tariq's bowling action.

'There is no bending and straightening as per the guidelines'- Anil Chaudhary

The former ICC panel umpire believes that the Pakistan spinner's action is legal after scrutiny in the Australia series. Chaudhary said that because Tariq uses a side-on trajectory and delivers all of his balls in the same manner with a bit of pause, his action is perfectly lawful and comes well within the ICC's criteria.

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Anil Chaudhary discussed Usman Tariq's action on his Instagram channel, “I have received a video regarding Usman Tariq’s bowling action. If you look at his action, it is slightly side-on and a bit different, and he bowls with a slight pause. However, since he delivers all his balls in the same manner, and in his arm there is no bending and straightening as per the guidelines, the action is absolutely fine. It is different and he bowls with a pause, but he delivers all balls in the same way. In my opinion, his action is fair and this is a fair delivery.”

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A post shared by Anil Chaudhary (@anilchaudhary.13)

Usman Tariq caught twice

However, Usman Tariq has been reported twice by umpires in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2025 and 2024, respectively. However, the spinner has even taken two biomechanical tests at Lahore's National Cricket Academy. On both occasions, the officials cleared Tariq's action and allowed him to continue bowling in the T20 tournament.

The spinner's T20I debut dates back to November 2025 and has claimed eight wickets in three innings so far in his international career. After this Green incident, Tariq hit back at the Australian all-rounder on Instagram. The Pakistan spinner shared an Instagram Story with the caption: "After getting out", with the video of a kid mocking Green. Pakistan won a T20I series against Australia for the first time since 2018, clean-sweeping the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Usman Khawaja in support of Usman Tariq

Former Australian batter Usman Khawaja has also supported Usman Tariq. He stated that the spinner’s action has already been cleared on multiple occasions and that he has been performing well. Khawaja addressed the psychological effect that such claims may have on a player.

Khawaja wrote on his Instagram Stories, “There aren’t many things worse than being called a chucker in cricket. The stigma is real. The man is just doing his best and has been cleared twice. Let’s have some perspective and understanding and stop jumping to conclusions.”

Also Read: Australia star breaks silence on Cameron Green accusing Usman Tariq of Chucking