Quetta Gladiators mystery spinner Usman Tariq caught all the limelight during his side’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) match against the Karchi Kings recently. Tariq, a mystery spinner, struck twice in an over, leaving the batters, fans, and even Gladiators mentor Sir Vivian Richards in disbelief. Tariq, who would pause during his action before delivering the ball, removed Tim Seifert and James Vince in the first and last ball of the seventh over of Karachi’s innings. Tariq trapped both Seifert and Vince LBW with his bizarre action, which was deemed illegal by fans on social media.
Usman Tariq’s double-strike in his first over! #HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #KKvQG pic.twitter.com/2MJ4Khoksf
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 29, 2024
Here’s how internet reacted:
Usman Tariq certainly has a unique bowling action. #PSL9 pic.twitter.com/1TRNKsNR43
— Faiz Fazel (@theFaizFazel) February 29, 2024
Action is not legal.
— Ahmadi (@theahmadiz) February 29, 2024
To be honest Mai is k action k against hoon
— Qudrat Ilahi (@Qudrat1lahi) February 29, 2024
This action is not legal
— Jay (@jayeshpatiljp) March 1, 2024
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq opened up on Tariq’s action, saying that his accuracy makes him a difficult bowler to play, especially for the right handers.
“He (Taqir) has a carrom ball and on top of that, he is accurate. The spin is so subtle that it is just enough to beat the bat. For the right-handers, he is difficult to face,” Misbah said on A Sports.
“If you play him like an off-spinner where the ball comes back in which we have tried and seen but all the batters make the same mistake when we think he is delivering the carrom ball. We try to play him in-line we plant our foot to play but him that subtle turn will get to you LBW or bowled. When you are facing your first or second ball as a batter in your innings even if you pick it you will make a mistake some way or the other,” he further explained.
Speaking on Tariq’s challenges, Misbah suggested: “In PSL there are international players who have played a lot of world-class spinners which will be a challenge to him also they would do a video analysis on him”
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