Quetta Gladiators’ Usman Tariq Reported for Suspect Bowling Action
Quetta Gladiators’ Usman Tariq Faces Scrutiny Over Suspect Bowling Action
Quetta Gladiators’ enigmatic spinner Usman Tariq has found himself under the microscope after being reported for a suspect bowling action during the team’s match against Karachi Kings on Wednesday. The report, however, does not immediately suspend Tariq from bowling. He is permitted to continue until a formal bowling action test can be scheduled at a PCB-approved facility.
Should Tariq be reported again during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), he will be barred from bowling further. This is Tariq’s maiden PSL season, where he has emerged as one of the most unconventional spin bowlers. The right-arm spinner executes a peculiar delivery stride, coming to an almost complete standstill before releasing the ball with a slinging, side-arm action.
Despite his unorthodox style, Tariq has enjoyed moderate success in the tournament, particularly in terms of economy rate. In the three matches he has played, he has conceded runs at a rate of 5.73. While the Gladiators boast Abrar Ahmed, arguably Pakistan’s premier spin bowling option, they have opted to field Tariq in three of their games.
The Gladiators have enjoyed a successful season by recent standards, winning four and losing two matches. They are one victory away from securing their first playoff berth in five years. The timing of Tariq’s bowling action test remains uncertain. Pakistan possesses an ICC-accredited biomechanics laboratory in Lahore. However, with the remaining PSL fixtures scheduled for Karachi and Rawalpindi, it is unclear whether Tariq will need to travel to Lahore before the tournament concludes.