former indian allrounder Ravichandran Ashwin Already come out to support Darryl Mitchell After New Zealand batsmen raise concerns Usman TariqUnusual delivery pause during pakistan super league (PSL) Karachi Clash 2026.The incident occurred during Quetta Gladiators’ match against Rawalpindi when Mitchell twice distanced himself against Tariq, apparently uncomfortable with the bowler’s stop-and-go action. In the ninth over at the National Stadium, Mitchell initially went for a paddle sweep but was soon upset by Tariq’s late release. As the game progressed, he stepped back twice during the delivery to point out pauses in the bowler’s action.Multiple interruptions prompted the on-field umpire to intervene and hold a brief discussion with the batsmen before allowing play to continue. Mitchell was later dismissed, caught and bowled by Saudi Shakir as Rawalpindi suffered a 61-run defeat.Ashwin’s view: ‘The batsman has all the rights’Ashwin, who had earlier spoken about this strategy in his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, reiterated that batsmen have every right to walk away if they feel the bowler’s actions disrupt the timing.“It is now up to the umpire and match umpire to determine the duration of the pause in his serve. If the pause is inconsistent, then the batsman has every right to walk away. The captain and the opposing batsmen should raise this issue with the umpire and match umpire before the match begins. Well done, Mitchell,” Ashwin wrote.Interestingly, Ashwin had earlier suggested this exact method, encouraging the batsmen to back away, forcing the umpires to call it a dead ball, thereby negating any advantage offered by an irregular bowling rhythm. Tariq’s action has been under scrutiny for some time because of its noticeable pause before release and subsequent low follow-through. Although he has been reported twice in the past for suspicious behavior, he was exonerated both times.
