PSL 2025 Controversy: Quetta Gladiators’ Usman Tariq Faces Second Suspect Action Warning, Still Allowed to Bowl

The Pakistan Super League 2025 (PSL 2025) has been rocked by a controversy as Quetta Gladiators’ (QG) off-spinner Usman Tariq was reported for a suspect bowling action for the second time in his career during a match against Lahore Qalandars (LQ) on April 13 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. 

According to PCB’s statement, on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Chris Brown flagged Tariq’s action during Quetta’s 79-run defeat to Lahore Qalandars in the fourth match of the PSL 2025. Tariq, known for his distinctive bowling technique, pauses dramatically before delivering off-spinners with a slingy, side-arm action, often likened to a baseball pitcher. 

Under the ICC’s bowling regulations, an illegal action is defined as "where the player’s elbow extends by an amount of more than 15 degrees between their arm reaching the horizontal and the ball being released."

Despite the report, the PCB clarified that Tariq can continue bowling unless reported again, at which point he would face suspension and require clearance from an ICC-accredited lab. 

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This marks the second time Tariq has been cited for a suspect action, having been reported during PSL 2024 by umpires Asif Yaqoob and Richard Illingworth. He was cleared a few days later at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore and continued to play without interruption.

Tariq’s bowling action has been a point of intrigue since his PSL debut in 2024. The 27-year-old spinner has played seven PSL matches and has taken five wickets at an economy rate of 7.27.

In an interview with MYK Sports, Tariq explained his unique bowling action, saying,

"My action is unique because my body dimensions are unique. My body frame is not like the common person's. I do have two elbows in my arm."

With Quetta Gladiators scheduled to face Karachi Kings on April 18, it will be interesting to see if Tariq continues to bowl or not. With one win in two matches, Quetta is currently in third place on the PSL 2025 points table.

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