Agha insisted Tariq will be a special weapon when his team faces their arch-rivals after he was allowed to play following the Islamabad government’s U-turn following an initial order to boycott the match against India. “Tariq is our X-factor and a key weapon,” Agha said before the tournament after Pakistan used him sparingly to protect their unique performances.
For the uninitiated, Usman Tariq’s unusual stop-and-pause side arm movement has led players and pundits to discuss and discuss his style. Pakistan has used it strategically and it has lived up to expectations in many ways. His statistics are impressive. The 28-year-old has already taken 11 wickets at an incredible economy rate of less than six runs per over in just 4 T20 Internationals. From just 42 matches, he has taken 70 wickets in T20 matches. On his World Cup debut this week, he scored a decisive 3-27 win against the USA in Colombo.
The double-jointed spinner’s unusual action sparked much talk in his maiden T20 World Cup and he now enters Sunday’s resumed battle against India as one of Pakistan’s main weapons.
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Usman Tariq: a dispute about two elbows
The 28-year-old’s bizarre bowling action has been ruled illegal twice in the last two years but has been cleared by the International Cricket Council’s laboratory.
There is an element of mystery to his actions as he pauses exaggeratedly before releasing the ball from the slingshot. England’s Tom Banton questioned Tariq’s actions in the United Arab Emirates T20 League last year. Australian all-rounder Cameron Green imitated Tariq’s round arm during the T20 series ahead of the World Cup in Lahore, raising fresh doubts.
But India opener Ravichandran Ashwin, himself an excellent spinner, and umpire Anil Chaudhary declared that Tariq’s bowling was within the rules.
“I think this is completely legal,” Ashwin wrote on X, explaining several factors behind the action.
“I have two elbow angles on my bowling arm, which is rare,” Tariq told AFP. “I’ve been acquitted twice, so I’m sure it’s legal. “I have fought until now and am not worried about such unreasonable questions.”
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Will there be a handshake between India and Pakistan tomorrow?
Asked about shaking hands with Indian players, Salman Agha said, “We will see about it tomorrow.” During the 2025 Asia Cup, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav did not exchange pleasantries with his Pakistani counterpart Salman Ali Agha after the match. Even after India’s seven-wicket win, Indian cricketers did not shake hands. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was unhappy with the incident and decided to lodge a formal complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). However, the BCCI official made it clear that there was nothing wrong with India’s actions.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav announced in Dubai last September during the Asia Cup that his team would not shake hands with Pakistan as a mark of respect for the Indian citizens killed in the Pahalgam attack in April last year. The decision was also described as a gesture of solidarity with the Indian Army during Operation Sindoor.
It is understood the same protocol is likely to be followed on Sunday, with neither captain shaking hands at the draw or at the end of the match.
“We’ll see tomorrow,” Agha said about whether this custom will be observed.
With tension surrounding the game following Pakistan’s initial boycott, the captain wanted to avoid any controversy and said he wanted both teams to stick to the spirit of cricket.
“I expect the game to be played in the same spirit that it has always been played since its inception,” Agha said.
(With agency participation)