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Pakistan off-spinner Usman Tariq has been named in the 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, but he was not selected for the three-match T20I series opener against Australia in Lahore on Thursday, January 29.
Usman Tariq’s unexpected absence is now seen as a deliberate move by the Pakistan cricket team management to ensure his safety in the upcoming 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, especially in the big game against India. If an offender is exposed, he may be banned by match officials.
Pakistan certainly don’t want their key bowlers to be banned ahead of the prestigious tournament in India and Sri Lanka, where the spinners are taking part.
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Usman Tariq’s controversial history
Tariq has been accused of “pitching” on several occasions, an illegal bowling action. The Pakistani bowler’s unusual style grabs attention every time he bowls. His arm reaches out from the side, and there’s a noticeable pause before he strikes.
Also read: Abrar Ahmed issues bold warning to India ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2026
To the viewer, it feels like his elbows are bending and straightening more than they should. Because of this expression, fans, commentators and even some international players accused Tariq of laughing. England batsman Tom Banton recently raised the doubt publicly during ILT20.
The spinner was first reported in March 2024 during the Pakistan Super League. He was sent to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore for Tests. The test checked how much his elbow straightened during delivery. Within a few days, the results came back clean and he was allowed to continue bowling.
Likewise, during the PSL in April 2025, Tariq’s action was reported for the second time and he underwent the same biomechanical test. Once again, officials found nothing wrong.
For now, Tarik is free to play, but there are risks ahead. If his behavior, which has already been reported in the PSL and ILT20, is reported for the third time this season, the Pakistan bowler may be banned from bowling with immediate effect. In this case, he would need permission from an ICC-approved laboratory to return to bowl again.
Protection of Pakistan mystery spinner Usman Tariq controversial
Tariq has been under the scanner for a long time due to his unusual bowling action. Although he has been cleared twice after official testing, the doubts surrounding him have never really gone away. Talk of Kak would come up again every time he pitched, with critics paying close attention to his elbow.
But the caution with which Pakistan treats him is now raising eyebrows. Tariq was not selected for the recent white-ball series against Sri Lanka despite being fit and available.
Although these matches are crucial for Pakistan’s preparations for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup, the off-spinner was once again not selected for the first T20I against Australia in Lahore.
Pakistan keeps secret weapon for 2026 T20 World Cup against India
Tariq’s absence has prompted strong speculation that Pakistan is trying to protect him from being reported again. Many believe that Pakistan is carefully guarding one of its mystery bowlers so that he can be available for the big clash with India in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Fans have pointed out that the bowler is resting or staying away from recent matches. The fear is that if he bowls regularly before big events, the ICC umpires may report his bowling behavior again. One more report could lead to a ban, something Pakistan doesn’t want to happen before the World Cup.
Meet Usman Tariq, the spinner of 2 RS Pakistan team. He is clearly a product of Chuck!
– Pakistan have not played any match against him since the last two series. He had already scored a hat-trick before that.
– Pakistan plans to play him directly against India before the World Cup to escape the ban! ! pic.twitter.com/Ld1U3v5h9V
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) January 30, 2026
Pakistan is saving certified spinner Usman Tariq for the series against India
They don’t want him to be banned before T20 WC, they are trying to protect this fool so that he can last at least one game before he is banned for World Cup
pic.twitter.com/KwkscnWC7j— Space Recorder (@1spacerecorder) January 30, 2026
Meet Usman Tariq, the mysterious spinner of 2-RS #Pakistan ” 🤡
– Walking, talking chuck tutorial. No need to pretend.
– scored a hat-trick… and then disappeared faster than Pakistan’s consistency.
– Subbed in two consecutive series (because #internationalchamber camera exists).
– The current master plan:… pic.twitter.com/wVBERpfLRF— Mr. Kaindal (@mrkaindaluk07) January 30, 2026
Just found out about a guy named Usman Tariq who plays for Pak and is a certified fool 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/v9C5EEALUA
— Ayush (@yush_18) January 30, 2026
If Usman Tariq plays in T2OI WC 2026, why should Pakistan hide him?
He is a certified chuker and they are not playing him since the last two series so that he will not be banned before T2OI WC 2026 and they will play us directly in WC so that even if he is banned,…
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) January 29, 2026
🚨 India calls Usman Tariq a bastard 🚨
Usman Tariq has been deliberately benched for the past two series to avoid a potential ban 😯
Pakistan don’t want him suspended before T20 WC and they are trying to protect him for T20 WC against India 🧐 pic.twitter.com/B9bMk0tWHc
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) January 30, 2026
Usman Tariq could be the talk of the World Cup. His bowling action looked awkward and not smooth.
He has played only two T20s, against South Africa and Zimbabwe, and even scored a hat-trick against Zimbabwe, which is a testament to his ability.
But the main problem is the bowling action… pic.twitter.com/1EN6pu6pvM
– self (@MonochromicXT) January 30, 2026
Hats off to Chucker Usman Tariq, who brought more “throw” than “smooth” to the game.
He came to weave a golden net,
Leaving behind a story that has yet to be told.
But Abhishek, the willow tree is tall,
Send that story to the sky.#T20World Cup pic.twitter.com/jXNPtlJ5WC— Neeraj (@NeerajY00859341) January 30, 2026
@cricketworld cup ,@vikrantgupta73 ,@ashwinravi99,@WasimJaffer14
If someone reports bowling action in a match, is he able to bowl the full quota or is he absent from the match and cannot bowl until he clears action
Watch out for Usman Tariq’s bowling action.— Shivam Mishra (@iShivamMishra1) January 30, 2026
