New Delhi: Pakistan Spinning Mills Usman Tariq After his triumphant performance against the United States in the 2026 T20 World Cup, he was once again at the center of a heated debate over his bowling action, with India’s veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin stepped in to defend the bowler amid mounting criticism online. Push boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Although the ICC cleared Tariq of his conduct twice last year, Tariq’s unique “stop and deliver” behavior sparked a fresh wave of “mockery” accusations on social media.
“Even football no longer allows players to take a time-out during a penalty run-up. How is this okay? Action – all good. But a time-out? The same goes for passing the ball. This cannot be more serious,” Goswami wrote.Ashwin, however, offered a different perspective, agreeing with the football analogy but arguing that cricket’s rules often impose disproportionate restrictions on bowlers. “Agree football doesn’t allow this! While a batsman can switch or reverse without informing the umpire or bowler, why is the restriction restricted to the bowler only after committing to bat on one side?” Ashwin wrote on social media. “In fact, a bowler is not allowed to change his/her bowling arm without informing the umpire. They should change this rule in the first place.”According to ICC rules, a bowler’s elbow extension must not exceed 15 degrees between the arm reaching horizontal position and the point of delivery – a guideline often cited in criticism of Tariq online. The spinner, who has previously come under scrutiny, insists the bend in his arm is natural.
