Ahead of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup clash with India, fears are mounting in the Indian camp over the impact of Usman Tariq.
With the presence of Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Saif Ayub, Pakistan’s spin attack was already considered formidable. Usman Tariq’s arrival, however, has unsettled both current and former Indian players, as well as analysts.
In the buildup to the match, several former Indian cricketers and journalists have criticized Tariq’s bowling action while simultaneously advising Indian batsmen on how to counter him.
A video circulating on social media platform X shows former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin advising that if Usman Tariq pauses during his delivery, a batsman is entitled to leave the crease and indicate that the bowler stopped. Ashwin added that this tactic would increase pressure on both the umpire and Tariq.
Ashwin described Tariq as Pakistan’s “ace” and suggested that using such strategies could neutralize him.
It is noteworthy that the ICC’s legal lab has cleared Usman Tariq’s bowling action twice, confirming it as legitimate.
