Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned Usman Tariq’s action after Pakistan’s 32-run win against the USA at Colombo on Tuesday. Tariq, who was making his T20 World Cup debut, returned with impressive figures of 3-27 in his quota of four overs.
The off-spinner’s action has come under the scanner as he pauses for a second before delivering the ball like Lasith Malinga. Tariq’s action has become the talk of the town but it has been cleared by the ICC on two occasions.
“Regarding Usman Tariq’s action, whoever is seeing him for the first time might be wondering where he has come from, that this is not the way, as he stops. It seems like he came to bowl, you paused him, then you pressed the play button, and he bowled. Pausing is absolutely okay. It’s legal, there is no problem. When he bowls slow, a floater that goes out and a slow off-break, all of that is legit,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra questioned Tariq’s action when he tries to bowl faster and believes the ICC will need to pay a little attention.
“However, one thing came to my mind. I watched his action closely. The ball he bowls 20-30 kph quicker, how will you bowl fast if you neither have a run-up nor a follow-through? Think and tell me. If I have to bowl fast suddenly, I will have to do this (chuck). I feel the ICC will have to pay a little attention. They might have to check the faster ball,” he added.
The renowned commentator highlighted that Pakistan will back a spin-heavy attack against India.
“Shadab Khan – leg-spinner, Mohammad Nawaz – left-arm spinner, Abrar Ahmed – mystery spinner and Usman Tariq plus Saim Ayub, that’s a lot of spin bowling, and that’s going to be their game plan,” he said.
The former Delhi cricketer said the conditions in Colombo could work in Pakistan’s favor.
“They are quite decent. I won’t say it’s a world-beating spin unit, but if the conditions suit them, they are the ones who can actually trouble you a little. These are actually spin-friendly pitches. These are not six-hitting grounds. That actually helps Pakistan,” Chopra observed.
India will take on Pakistan at Colombo on Sunday.
