Pakistan captain Salman Agha has come out in support of off-spinner Usman Tariq, brushing aside concerns over the bowler’s unusual action and hailing him as a potential match-winner ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Tariq has been one of the most talked-about names in Pakistan’s white-ball setup since making his international debut in November. however, his rise has not been without controversy. In Pakistan Super League, he was reported twice for a suspect bowling action, due to his distinctive style.Tariq's action sets him apart from other bolwers. He pauses briefly close to the crease before releasing the ball with a wide-arm, sling-shot motion. The delivery is difficult to pick up, troubling batters. However, Salman Agha, speaking ahead of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign, defended the spinner strongly.
"I don't understand why we are even talking about his action because, in my view, it is a fair action," Salman told media ahead of Pakistan's opening match of the T20 World Cup against the Netherlands on Saturday.
"He has been tested twice, and he has been cleared. "I think there is no problem in his action. Yes, he is the X factor of the team, and where we feel that we need an X factor, we will definitely use him," Agha said.
The discussion garnered traction during Pakistan’s recent T20I series against Australia, when all-rounder Cameron Green was dismissed by Tariq. As Green walked off, cameras caught him making a chucking gesture. Meanwhile, Pakistan will take on Netherlands in their opening game of the T20I World Cup on Saturday.in Colombo.
Pakistan squad: Salman Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.