Usman Tariq: Pakistan Super League (PSL) had its next controversy of the year 2026 during a match between Rawalpindi Pindiz and Quetta Gladiators. New Zealand’s senior batter Daryl Mitchell playing for the Rawalpindi Pindiz refused to play against mystery spinner Usman Tariq of Quetta, protesting against the long pause of Tariq before delivery.
Usman Tariq And Mitchell PSL Drama
Tariq approached the bowling crease during the middle overs of Pindiz’s chase at the Pakistan’s National Stadium. Tariq took a long pause before he was about to release the ball. Mitchell was visibly upset by the bowler’s disruption and stepped away from the stumps twice.
Mitchell’s actions left the commentators frustrated. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja, who was on air, remarked that the Pindiz batsman should have done better.
Ravichandran Ashwin Playbook?
Recently, legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has suggested that batsman should use the game’s laws to counter the pause.
Ashwin had commented that a batsman is fully within his rights to pull out of the delivery stride of a bowler is staggered enough to confuse his peripheral vision.
Interestingly, Tariq has been reported twice to the International Cricket Council. His bowling action has been deemed legal by ICC, which means that umpires could not stop him for bowling unless he is reported the third time.
About The Match
Quetta Gladiators scored 182 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their stipulated 20 overs. Rilee Rossouw scored 53 runs off 42 balls while Hassan Nawaz contributed 39 runs off just 16 balls while Saud Shakeel scored 42 runs off 39 runs.
In response, Rawalpindi Pindiz lost both openers early. Muhammad Rizwan was out for the first ball of the match and Usman Khawaja scored just 7. Thereafter, Yasir Khan, Daryl Mitchell and Saad Masood tried to contribute a bit here and there but could not help their team overtake Quetta and end up losing the match by 61 runs.
