Dealing with Pakistan’s Unique Off-Spinner Usman Tariq: Ashwin’s Advice
Indian spin great R Ashwin has some valuable advice for Indian batters as they prepare to face the challenge of Pakistan off-spinner Usman Tariq’s unique side-arm action. His suggestion is simple – just move away when Tariq pauses before delivering the ball.
Usman Tariq, a 30-year-old off-spinner with a stop-and-pause action, has garnered attention with his impressive performance in four T20 Internationals, claiming 11 wickets at an economy rate of less than six runs per over. His distinctive bowling style could play a crucial role in the upcoming T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan on a slow Premadasa track.
Ashwin shared his thoughts on the matter on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’, emphasizing that if Tariq pauses before delivering the ball, the batsman has the right to move away. This strategic move could potentially disrupt Tariq’s rhythm and put pressure on him during the match.
While Tariq’s unique action has sparked debates in the cricketing world, Ashwin has previously expressed his support for the off-spinner. However, there have been concerns raised about the legality of Tariq’s stop-and-pause action, with former England captain Kevin Pietersen labeling it as illegal.
Addressing the Technicalities
Ashwin also highlighted the need for a real-time competition testing tool to determine if Tariq’s side-arm action complies with the permissible 15-degree elbow extension limit set by the ICC. This rule allows bowlers to straighten their elbow up to 15 degrees during their delivery.
According to Ashwin, relying on on-field umpires to judge whether a bowler is adhering to the 15-degree rule is challenging. He proposed the implementation of a real-time testing tool to ensure fair assessment of bowlers’ actions during matches.
He further emphasized that accusing a player of exploiting gray areas in the rules is unjust, calling for a more objective and technologically advanced approach to assess bowling actions.
Conclusion
As the cricketing world awaits the high-stakes T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan, the spotlight remains on Usman Tariq’s unconventional bowling style. With Ashwin’s strategic advice and call for technical advancements in action assessment, the upcoming match promises to be a thrilling encounter filled with tactical maneuvers and intense competition.
