Pakistan mystery spinner Usman Tariq has revealed that West Indies great Sunil Narine supported him during the controversy over his bowling action.
The 31-year-old made his international debut during Pakistan’s home T20I series against South Africa last year after impressing for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League.
Usman Tariq has since attracted attention because of his unusual bowling action. England’s Tom Banton and Australia’s Cameron Green were seen making throwing gestures on separate occasions while facing him.
Cricket laws allow a bowler’s arm to flex by up to 15 degrees during delivery. Tariq has maintained that his action remains within the permitted limit and has explained that the appearance of his action is linked to the structure of his elbow.
“There are two corners on my elbow which make it hard for me to straighten fully,” he said earlier this year during the ILT20.
Usman Tariq was also the subject of reports in Indian media before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match between Pakistan and India. The reports claimed Pakistan was keeping him out of earlier matches to use him as a surprise option against India.
However, he was included in Pakistan’s playing XI for the second T20I of the three-match home series against Australia before the World Cup and later also featured in the tournament.
Speaking in an interview with former Pakistan batter Fawad Alam, Tariq said Narine contacted him during the controversy and advised him to ignore the criticism.
“Sunil Narine called me, and we spoke for almost 30 minutes. He told me, ‘Whatever these people are doing, don’t respond to them. They’re only doing this because they can’t pick you. Just keep doing what you’re doing,’” Tariq said.
سنیل نارائن نے مجھے کال کی آدھا گھنٹہ بات کی اور کہا کہ لوگ جو بھی کررہے ہیں کرنے دو ان کو جواب نہیں دینا تمہیں یہ پک نہیں کرپارہے۔ عثمان طارق کا بولنگ ایکشن کے بارے میں جواب pic.twitter.com/KK9PMS3pBN
— Syed Sohaib Shah (@SohaiibShah) August 3, 2026
Usman Tariq has been reported for a suspect bowling action twice during his career but was cleared on both occasions.
Last year, he also received clearance from an ICC-accredited biomechanics laboratory after bowling 24 deliveries during testing.
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