Usman Tariq's Rise and Controversy: From Dhoni-Inspired Comeback to Bowling Action Debate

Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq has become one of the most talked-about figures in cricket following his captivating journey back to the sport and recent controversy surrounding his bowling action.

After years away from professional cricket and a stint working as a salesman in Dubai, Tariq’s career was reignited by watching the Bollywood biopic MS Dhoni: The Untold Story. Inspired by Dhoni’s story of perseverance, Tariq quit his job and returned to Pakistan to pursue his cricketing dreams with renewed passion. His comeback was remarkable, highlighted by his impressive performance in the 2025 Caribbean Premier League, where he claimed 20 wickets, finishing just behind veteran bowler Imran Tahir. This success earned Tariq his maiden call-up to Pakistan’s T20 International squad in the ongoing series against South Africa[2][4].

However, Tariq's unique bowling style—a dramatic pause before delivering his ball with a distinctive side-arm flick—has sparked intense debate. Critics have accused him of "chucking," meaning illegally straightening his arm during delivery to gain unfair spin. This allegation intensified during the third T20I match against South Africa at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on November 1, 2025. Video footage showed Tariq apparently straightening his arm beyond the legal limit when bowling to South African batsman Donovan Ferreira, drawing widespread social media criticism[1][3].

Usman Tariq addressed these concerns by sharing that his bowling action is influenced by a natural biological issue in his arm, causing it to bend unusually. In March 2024, after being reported for a suspect action during the Pakistan Super League, Tariq underwent biomechanical testing at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. Experts cleared his action, validating the legitimacy of his bowling technique[1][2].

Despite the scrutiny, Tariq remains a promising talent for Pakistan cricket, having already picked up two wickets in his international debut series alongside more experienced bowlers like Shaheen Afridi. His story of resilience, coupled with his distinct bowling style, continues to attract attention from fans and analysts alike as he strives to cement his place in international cricket[6].