Usman Tariq‘s bowling performance has once again captured the focus, this time during England’s 2026 Hundred season. Just months after all-rounder Cameron Green protested to the Pakistan cricketer’s spin bowling action, RCB champion Tim David has publicly accused the 28-year-old of “chucking”.
The incident occurred during the fourth match of The Hundred 2026 season in Birmingham, after Tariq tricked Tim David in a high-scoring game.
Tim David questions Usman Tariq’s bowling action.
RCB champion batsman Tim David has openly accused Usman Tariq of “chucking” the ball during The Hundred 2026 season.
The incident occurred on the 55th ball of the Trent Rockets’ innings, during their unsuccessful chase of 215 runs at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Tariq produced a full delivery outside off stump, which David nicked to Birmingham Phoenix wicketkeeper Joe Clarke behind the stumps.
After being dismissed for only two runs off three balls, the RCB star and Trent Rockets’ Australian import appeared to insinuate that Usman Tariq’s bowling motion did not follow the rules of the game, and tacitly pushed the umpires to declare his dismissal delivery a ‘no ball’.
An Australian player had previously questioned Usman Tariq’s bowling action. Apart from Tim David, Cameron Green, another hard-hitting Australian batter, chastised the Pakistani cricketer earlier this year during a brief white-ball series in Pakistan.
Green also mocked Tariq’s bowling action after being dismissed by him in one of the games.
The Pakistani spinner has also faced widespread criticism online, particularly from Indian cricket fans. Furthermore, during the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav deliberately bowled with a similar movement at the nets in an attempt to prepare his batsmen for Tariq’s controversial bowling style.
It is worth mentioning that, despite the on-field and off-field controversy, Usman Tariq’s bowling action has been cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
What has Usman Tariq stated about his bowling action?
Long before Tim David and Cameron Green voiced their concerns, the Pakistani spinner defended his bowling action after gaining unwanted attention in the PSL last year.
While speaking with MYK Sports, the cricketer stated, “My action is unique because my body dimensions are unique.” My physical characteristics differ from those of the average person. I actually have two elbows in my arm. My arm bends naturally. I have had this tested and cleared. Everyone thinks I bend my arms and all that. “My bent arm is a biological problem.”
What makes Usman Tariq’s bowling action difficult for batsmen?
Several batters have previously complained about Usman Tariq’s bowling action. The cricketer’s delivery stride sometimes includes a sudden, statue-like stop before bowling, which can disrupt the batter’s rhythm and timing.
Tariq also reads the batter’s feet during the pause to see how they move and change his delivery accordingly. Furthermore, his low and round-arm sling produces various degrees of skid and bounce.
Aside from the Pakistani spinner, former Indian all-rounder Kedar Jadhav used a similar contentious bowling action, however with little to no halt in his stride.
Former spinners Ravichandran Ashwin, Suresh Raina, and Mohammad Hafeez, for example, varied with their bowling action on occasion.
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