Yesterday’s World Cup match between Pakistan and the US ended in a Pakistani victory. The US won the toss and chose to bowl first but failed to chase Pakistan’s target of 190 runs, losing the match by 32 runs.
Usman Tariq’s bowling action became the centre of controversy during the game. The Pakistani off spinner paused briefly in his run up, which led to criticism on social media and renewed debate about his bowling action.
Several users compared the pause in Tariq’s action to restrictions in football penalty run ups. They argued that similar rules should apply in cricket to maintain fairness between batters and bowlers.
Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin defended Tariq on social media. He said bowlers should also have flexibility in their approach if batters are allowed to play innovative shots without prior notice.
Ashwin wrote that bowlers cannot change their bowling arm without informing the umpire, while batters can switch hit freely. His comments triggered mixed reactions among cricket fans online.
While some supported Ashwin’s viewpoint, others criticised him for defending a Pakistani bowler. Critics claimed Tariq’s action should be examined more closely by cricket authorities.
Responding to the criticism, Ashwin said it is the responsibility of the ICC to monitor bowling actions. He added that if officials find no violation, there is no reason to target the player online.
