Pakistan captain Salman Agha on Friday defended the bowling action of off-spinner Usman Tariq, describing him as an important option for the team on the eve of their opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against Netherlands in Colombo.
The comments come amid scrutiny of Tariq’s unorthodox action, which has drawn attention in recent months. The 28-year-old has been reported twice for a suspect action during the Pakistan Super League, though he has since been cleared after official testing. Salman told reporters that there was no issue with Tariq’s delivery and said the spinner offered the team a tactical advantage in certain match situations.
Tariq has played three T20 internationals since making his debut against South Africa in November. His action, which includes a brief pause near the crease before releasing the ball with a sling-style motion, has divided opinion. During a match against Australia in Lahore, one dismissed batter appeared to make a gesture questioning the legality of the delivery, an incident that added to the debate around the spinner.
Pakistan face a compressed path to the Super 8 stage after opting out of their Group A fixture against defending champions India following Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament. The group also includes the United States, who defeated Pakistan in the 2024 edition, alongside other lower-ranked sides. Salman said Pakistan could not afford complacency, adding that unfamiliar opponents required careful planning and consistent execution across all 40 overs.