Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja has come out in support of Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq following a controversial incident during the second T20I against Australia.
During the game, Australian batter Cameron Green was seen making a gesture widely interpreted as questioning Tariq’s bowling action.
The incident occurred after Green, who had been looking in control at the crease, was dismissed for 35 runs off Tariq’s delivery, caught by Shadab Khan.
Broadcast cameras captured Green making a gesture that many fans and analysts took as implying an illegal action, or “chucking.”
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This is not the first time Tariq’s bowling has been scrutinised. The spinner was reported during PSL 9 and 10, but his action was officially cleared on both occasions.
While Green has not publicly addressed the gesture, Khawaja, who played alongside him for Australia, expressed his support for Tariq on Instagram, sharing the views of cricket journalist Paul Dennett.
“There aren’t many things worse than being called a ‘chucker’ in cricket,” Usman Khawaja wrote.
“The stigma is real. The man is just doing his best and has been cleared twice. Let’s have some perspective and understanding and stop jumping to conclusions.”
Usman Tariq has previously explained that the natural bend in his elbows can create confusion for spectators.
“There are two corners on my elbow that make it hard for me to straighten,” he said in an interview last year.
“I gave two tests at labs in Pakistan, and my action was cleared within a week. I didn’t get told to change anything. I was confident because I knew I was not throwing.”
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