Quetta Gladiators’ spinner Usman Tariq has come under scrutiny for his bowling action in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL). During the match against Karachi Kings, the umpire raised concerns about his action, noting that Tariq almost comes to a halt before delivering offspinners with a slinging, side-arm action.
While the report doesn’t automatically suspend him from bowling, Tariq has been allowed to continue playing pending a bowling action test at a PCB-approved facility. However, if he repeats the same action in the PSL, he could face suspension from the PCB. This situation is reminiscent of Sunil Narine’s suspension in the Indian Premier League, where he was briefly banned before modifying his action.
In the event that Tariq is ruled out, the Gladiators have Abrar Ahmed as a backup. Ahmed has performed well, picking up 11 wickets in six matches. Tariq’s absence would be felt, especially considering his economical bowling.
The timing of the bowling action test is yet to be confirmed. While Pakistan has an ICC-accredited biomechanics laboratory in Lahore, the remaining PSL fixtures are scheduled for Karachi and Rawalpindi. It’s uncertain if Tariq will have the opportunity to travel to Lahore for the test before the tournament concludes.
Despite this setback, the Gladiators are close to securing their spot in the playoffs, with nine points from seven games. Their upcoming match against Peshawar Zalmi could seal their playoff berth. While openers Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel have performed well, the middle-order’s inconsistency remains a concern.
Bowlers like Abrar Ahmed, Akeal Hossain, and Mohammad Amir have been decent, but there’s room for improvement. The Gladiators will hope for a positive resolution to Tariq’s situation and a strong finish to the tournament.
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