Pakistan’s Usman Tariq (AP Photo/KM Chaudary) Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq found himself in the limelight after the second T20I against Australia in Lahore and reacted strongly on social media after an on-field moment involving Cameron Green sparked debate. The episode took place at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday during the Australian chase. Green, who attempted 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 motion that many viewers interpreted as a reference to the legality of Tariq’s bowling action. The clip quickly went viral online, sparking intense debate and even calls from some quarters for action against the Pakistani spinner.
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A day later, Tariq appeared to hit back without naming names. On Sunday, he shared a meme on Instagram that suggested the reaction stemmed from frustration after he was fired. While no direct reference was made to Green, the post was widely seen as a response to the previous night’s incident. Tariq’s bowling action has long been the subject of scrutiny due to its unconventional nature, which involves a noticeable pause before releasing the ball. During his career, he was flagged twice for suspicious action in the Pakistan Super League. In both cases, he was subsequently tested and released. He also ran into similar controversy ahead of the ILT20 final in the United Arab Emirates, where he defended his action by staying within the permitted 15-degree elbow extension limit. Pakistan dominated the pitch. After opting to bat first, they piled up an impressive 198 in 20 overs, built around a commanding 76 from skipper Salman Agha and a fluent 53 from wicketkeeper-batsman Usman Khan. Australia’s reply never gained momentum and they were bowled out for 108 in 15.4 overs, with Green the only batsman to get past 30. The comprehensive victory gave Pakistan an unassailable 2-0 lead and the three-match series.
