“ICC will have to pay a little attention” - Aakash Chopra opens up on Usman Tariq’s bowling action

The 30-year-old Pakistan off-spinner Usman Tariq has grabbed the limelight over his controversial bowling action during the match against the USA in Colombo in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.

While a few cricketing fans called him ‘chucker’ for his side-arm bowling action, some of them went on to question his distinctive pause-and-deliver action. Nevertheless, he scalped three wickets against the USA, helping Pakistan to bag a 32-run win.

Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Chopra wants the International Cricket Council (ICC) to pay a little attention to the off-spinner’s quicker deliveries after watching Tariq’s action quite closely.

"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.

"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.

However, this is not the first time Tariq has involved in such a controversy. During Australia’s tour of Pakistan earlier this year, all-rounder Cameron Green appeared to mock Tariq’s action after being dismissed. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that Tariq was cleared by the ICC twice last year.

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