In the aftermath of Pakistan's victory against the USA in the 2026 T20 World Cup, Pakistani spinner Usman Tariq's bowling action has once again come under scrutiny, sparking a debate that has drawn in prominent figures like Ravichandran Ashwin and Shreevats Goswami. Tariq's action, which features a noticeable pause before delivery, has been a talking point in the past, with some critics alleging it constitutes "chucking".
During Pakistan's recent home series against Australia, Cameron Green seemingly mocked Tariq's action, adding fuel to the fire. Despite being cleared by the ICC twice last year, the debate resurfaced after Tariq's three-wicket haul against the USA. Social media platforms were inundated with accusations regarding the legality of his action, with many users specifically questioning the distinct pause.
Indian cricketer Shreevats Goswami weighed in on the controversy, drawing a parallel with football regulations. He pointed out that football prohibits players from pausing during a penalty run-up and questioned why a similar standard isn't applied to bowlers in cricket. "Even football doesn't allow players to pause during a penalty run-up anymore. How is this ok? Action — all good. But pause? That too while loading to deliver. This can't be continued seriously," Goswami wrote.
Ravichandran Ashwin responded to Goswami's argument by highlighting what he perceives as an inconsistency in cricket's laws. Ashwin questioned why batsmen are allowed to switch-hit or reverse sweep without informing the umpire or bowler, while bowlers face restrictions on changing their bowling arm without prior notification. "Agree football doesn't allow it! While the batter can switch-hit or reverse without informing the umpire or bowler, after committing to bat on one side, why are the restrictions only limited to the bowler?" Ashwin posted. He further added, "In fact, the bowler isn't allowed to change the arm with which he/she bowls without informing...".
Ashwin's comments have reignited the discussion about the fairness of switch-hitting and reverse sweeps in cricket. Switch-hitting involves a batsman changing their stance and grip to convert from a right-handed to a left-handed batter (or vice versa) just before the bowler delivers the ball. This maneuver can significantly alter the angles and trajectory of the ball, making it difficult for the bowler to adjust their strategy.
The legality of Tariq's action remains a point of contention despite ICC clearance. The current regulations permit a certain degree of elbow extension, but the visual perception of "chucking" often leads to public criticism and scrutiny. This situation underscores the challenges in objectively assessing bowling actions and the potential for subjective interpretations to influence perceptions.
The debate surrounding Usman Tariq's bowling action and Ravichandran Ashwin's comments on switch-hitting have brought to the forefront the need for a comprehensive review of cricket's laws to ensure fairness and consistency for both batsmen and bowlers. As the T20 World Cup progresses, these discussions are likely to continue, potentially leading to calls for reforms in the sport's regulations.