pakistani spin Usman Tariq He was once again at the center of the “illegal conduct” controversy during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against the United States. However, the controversy has not overshadowed his impact on the ball.

Tariq delivered a match-defining performance, taking three crucial wickets – Milind Kumar, Harmeet Singh and Mohammad Mohsin – while conceding just 27 runs in his four overs. His disciplined spin proved decisive Pakistan successfully defended the title 190 timesachieving 32 consecutive victories.

As the pressure mounted in the midfield, Tariq’s spell halted the United States’ pursuit and shifted the momentum firmly in Pakistan’s favour.

Usman Tariq bowling controversy

Despite Tariq’s impressive stature, attention soon turned to his unconventional bowling style. The spinner was reported twice earlier during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), but he was cleared both times after undergoing tests.

On the eve of the T20 World Cup, during Pakistan’s home match against Australia, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green angrily imitated Tariq’s actions after he was dismissed by Tariq. Green later apologized after viewing the replay, admitting his reaction was wrong.

Tariq has always maintained that his actions were in compliance with ICC regulations and has offered medical and technical explanations to clear up doubts.

The medical explanation behind Tariq’s behavior

Medically, Tariq reportedly has a double-jointed elbow, which prevents him from fully straightening his arm. This anatomical feature gives his bowling action a unique look that often leads to misunderstandings.

There have been similar cases in cricket history. Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan suffered from a congenital deformity that restricted the extension of his bowling arm, sparking years of controversy before being cleared.

The introduction of the 15-degree bend rule, implemented during the tenure of former ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya, provides clearer guidelines and allows naturally overextended bowlers to continue playing without penalty as long as they remain within the permissible limits.

Tariq’s bowling action is characterized by a brief zig-zag run-up followed by a brief pause before delivering the ball. While the suspension and side arms release look unusual, they are consistent across all deliveries. Critics believe the change could disrupt the batsmen’s rhythm, giving the bowlers an advantage.

However, according to the ICC, consistency and wingspan are the key factors in determining legality, not aesthetics.

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Referee Anil Chaudhary’s take on Tariq’s move

During the re-examination, respected Indian umpire Anil Chaudhary came out with a clear and decisive opinion. After reviewing the footage of Tariq bowling, Chowdhury said the act was completely legal.

He explained that although Tarik threw the ball slightly sideways and with a pause, the arm did not significantly bend or straighten beyond what was allowed. Importantly, he emphasized the requirement of consistency for spinners to bat the ball in the same way.

“In my opinion he acted fairly and it was a fair delivery,” Chaudhry said the emphasis on unusual does not mean illegal.

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