Australian cricketing great Usman Khawaja has come to the defense of Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq after Australian all-rounder Cameron Green appeared to accuse the bowler of chucking during the second T20I in Lahore.
Khawaja addressed the controversy in an Instagram story, urging fans and observers to avoid rushing to judgment.
“There aren’t many things worse than being called a chucker in cricket,” Khawaja wrote. “The stigma is real. The man is just doing his best and has been cleared twice. Let’s have some perspective and understanding and stop jumping to conclusions.”
Pakistan secured a dominant 90-run victory at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, dismissing Australia for 108 in 15.4 overs. All ten wickets fell to spin, marking Australia’s heaviest T20I defeat in 21 years and giving Pakistan an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match series.
Green was dismissed in the 11th over for 35 after miscuing a wide delivery from Tariq, leaving Australia struggling at 6–76. As he walked back to the dugout, Green made a baseball-style throwing motion, which was widely interpreted as an accusation of chucking.
Tariq, playing just his third T20I, finished with figures of 2–16 from 2.4 overs and also dismissed Matthew Kuhnemann. There has been no indication that Australian players or match officials lodged a formal complaint regarding Tariq’s bowling action.
Tariq’s bowling action is considered unorthodox. He briefly pauses before delivery and bowls off-breaks using a slinging motion with a noticeable bend in his arm.
Under ICC regulations, a bowling action is deemed illegal if the elbow extends more than 15 degrees during the delivery stride, excluding any natural elbow hyperextension.
Tariq has twice been reported for a suspect action while representing the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. On both occasions, he underwent biomechanical testing at Lahore’s National Cricket Academy and was cleared to continue bowling.
Last year, Tariq explained that the bend in his arm is due to a physical condition involving a naturally double-jointed elbow. “My arm bends naturally,” he told MYK Sports. “It’s a biological issue.”
Despite being cleared, scrutiny of his action has continued. His bowling was questioned again following Pakistan’s win over South Africa in November.
Speaking during last month’s ILT20, Tariq responded strongly after England batter Tom Banton questioned his action. He said repeated allegations stem from a lack of understanding and emphasized that he had been cleared without being asked to change his bowling technique.
Since making his professional debut in 2023, Usman Tariq has featured in several domestic T20 leagues, including the Caribbean Premier League and the UAE’s ILT20. At international level, he has taken eight T20I wickets at an average of 7.50 and an economy rate of 5.62.