Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq has once again come under scrutiny for his bowling action during the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The controversy intensified after Aakash Chopra and former RCB player Shreevats Goswami criticized Ravichandran Ashwin for supporting the spinner’s bowling action.
Tariq took three important wickets in Pakistan’s 32-run victory over the United States in Colombo on Tuesday, 10 February. However, his unusual “pause-and-deliver” action attracted attention. Social media was flooded with claims accusing him of “chucking”, a term used when a bowler is believed to be bowling the ball.
“Why are the restrictions only on bowlers?” Ravichandran Ashwin defends Usman Tariq’s action
Srivatsa Goswami compared it to football. He said that just as players are not allowed to pause during the penalty run-up in football, bowlers in cricket should also face sanctions if pausing their action impacts fairness.
Your daily dose of cricket!
Ravichandran Ashwin questioned whether the laws of cricket treat batsmen and bowlers equally. Ravichandran Ashwin explained that batsmen can attempt shots like switch-hit or reverse sweep without informing the umpire, but bowlers are not allowed to change their bowling hands without prior notice.
Ravichandran Ashwin posted, “Agreed that football does not allow this! While the batsman can switch-hit or reverse without informing the umpire or the bowler, after batting from one side, why are the restrictions limited to the bowler only? In fact, the bowler is not allowed to change the hand he bowls without informing the umpire. They should change that rule first.”
Is it possible to increase the speed to 20-25 km/h? Aakash Chopra raised questions on the action of Usman Tariq
Aakash Chopra responded to Ravichandran Ashwin’s comment by saying that he has no problem with a bowler using pause in the run-up. Chopra questioned whether a bowler could add nearly 20 km/h to a few balls without generating pace from the run-up or bending the arm.
“I think ‘pause’ is absolutely fine. But I have a very specific bowling question – if no speed is generated from the run-up, is it possible to increase my speed by 20-25 km/h on some balls without bending the arm?” Chopra said.
I think ‘pause’ is absolutely fine. But I have a very specific bowling question – if no speed is generated from the run-up, is it possible to increase my speed by 20-25 km/h on some balls without bending the arm? https://t.co/hfVIAhPSBu
– Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) 11 February 2026
Srivatsa Goswami hits back at Ravichandran Ashwin over Usman Tariq’s actions
Srivatsa Goswami said the issue was not about batsmen versus bowlers but about “stagnation” in the bowling action. Goswami said that if a pause of one second is accepted, then longer pauses like two or ten seconds can also be justified.
“The reverse sweep was first played in 1964 and it’s still a subject of debate? Right. We’re talking about “pause” here. “Pause”. A batsman does not take stance before bowling the ball, look away, pause and then reset. He is fully prepared for whatever the bowler has to offer.” Goswami said.
“Let’s not make it a bowler versus a batsman. This is the pause. If a pause of 1 second is fine, so is 2, so is 10. Cricket is a game of continuity. The pause breaks the rhythm of the game and if you look closely, he is “folding his arms” when he bowls a fast ball. Hopefully the ICC will get clarity on this matter before it becomes the next gray area.”
Reverse sweep was first played in 1964 and it is still a subject of debate? Ok.
We’re talking about “pause” here. “Pause”. The batsman does not take stance, look away, pause and then reset before bowling the ball. He is fully prepared for whatever the bowler offers.… https://t.co/3uH8kGN8mc-Shrivatsa Goswami (@Shrivatsa1) 11 February 2026
