Ashwin backs Usman Tariq amid chucking allegations after PAK vs USA match at T20 World Cup 2026

abhay-kumar — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:55:40 GMT

Usman Tariq's bowling action under scrutiny

Pakistan is scheduled to play all its matches in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in Sri Lanka, and keeping in mind the slow wickets there, they have relied on spinners and have already registered two wins in the tournament. On Tuesday (February 10), Pakistandefeated the USA by 29 runs in their second match, with spinner Usman Tariq playing a key role. However, questions have been raised about Tariq's bowling action since the match.

In the match against USA, Usman Tariq took 3 wickets for 27 runs in his four-over spell, but his bowling action has once again come under the scanner, with Indian fans as well as former cricketers expressing their doubts on social media. It is being claimed that Usman is chucking while bowling. Because of this, he should be banned. However, now the former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has come to the defense of this Pakistani spinner and has explained the rules, stating that Tariq's action is legal.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who played 287 matches for India in his 14-year international career, tweeted on social media platform X the day after the match between Pakistan and the USA regarding the questions being raised about Usman Tariq's bowling action and explained the complete rule.

Ashwin explains why Usman Tariq's bowling action is legal

On Wednesday (January 11), Ravichandran Ashwin tweeted at length about Usman Tariq's bowling action, tweeting on X. Ashwin believes that as long as a bowler maintains his elbow straight within the 15° rule, his action is fine. He also said that Tariq's pause is fine, as it is his regular bowling action.

He wrote in his tweet,

“Okay, let me make it as clear as possible. Firstly, the legalities of his action can only be tested at an ICC bowling action testing centre.

Secondly, there is a 15-degree rule under which a bowler needs to keep his elbow extension within the permitted limit, and for an on-field umpire to judge whether a bowler is within that 15-degree mark is nearly impossible.

The only solution to that is having a real-time, in-competition testing tool.

This is a grey area, and to accuse someone of utilising that grey area is wrong.
Finally, as far as the pause at the crease is concerned, I believe it is entirely legal because that is his regular action.”

Okay, let me make it as clear as possible. Firstly, the legalities of his action can only be tested at an ICC bowling action testing Centre.

Secondly, there is a 15° rule under which a bowler needs to keep his elbow and straighten it and to judge if a bowler is bowling within… pic.twitter.com/RbTkY6xJ3h

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 11, 2026" contenteditable="false">