Kamal Ghorui
Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq found himself at the centre of attention following the second T20I against Australia in Lahore, responding pointedly on social media after an on-field moment involving Cameron Green sparked debate. The episode unfolded at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday during Australia’s run chase. Green, attempting an attacking stroke in the 11th over, was dismissed by Tariq. As the Australian all-rounder headed back to the dressing room, television cameras caught him making a hand movement that many viewers interpreted as an insinuation about the legality of Tariq’s bowling action. The clip spread rapidly online, triggering intense discussion and even calls from some quarters for action against the Pakistan spinner.
A day later, Tariq appeared to hit back without naming names. He shared a meme on Instagram on Sunday, implying that the reaction stemmed from frustration after being dismissed. While no direct reference was made to Green, the post was widely viewed as a response to the incident from the previous night.
Tariq’s bowling action has long drawn scrutiny due to its unconventional nature, which includes a noticeable pause before the ball is released. During his career, he has twice been reported for a suspect action in the Pakistan Super League. On both occasions, he subsequently underwent testing and was cleared. He was also caught up in a similar controversy ahead of the ILT20 final in the UAE, where he defended his action by stating it remained within the permitted 15-degree limit for elbow extension. On the field, Pakistan dominated the contest. After choosing to bat first, they racked up an imposing 198 for 20 overs, built around a commanding 76 from captain Salman Agha and a fluent 53 by wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan. Australia’s reply never gained momentum, and they were bowled out for 108 in 15.4 overs, with Green the only batter to get past 30. The comprehensive win handed Pakistan an unassailable 2–0 lead and the three-match series.
