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ILT20 final: Usman Tariq responds to throwing accusations, defends his action

Poulomi Chakraborty

Usman Tariq defends himself (Source: @Cricbyusman/x.com)Usman Tariq defends himself (Source: @Cricbyusman/x.com)

As the T20 leagues are taking the cricket world by storm in recent times, fans are enjoying some fireworks on the field. But before the ILT20 2025–26 final, an unwanted controversy involving a Pakistani bowler has suddenly stolen the spotlight.

During the playoff clash against MI Emirates, controversy erupted after Usman Tariq dismissed Tom Banton, with the MI batter accusing the pacer of throwing the delivery. Before playing the final match, he defended his bowling action.

Usman Tariq breaks silence to defend his bowling action

In the cricket world, there is always something new; sometimes, a new controversy too. Before stepping into the final match of the ILT20 2025-26, Pakistani bowler Usman Tariq grabbed the attention. Brought in as a replacement for Noor Ahmad at Desert Vipers, he made an immediate impact on the field while also igniting a heated debate.

During the qualifier 1 clash against the MI Emirates, Tariq set the stage on fire with his exceptional bowling, but Tom Banton’s dismissal grabbed the attention. Drama escalated when Banton accused the pacer of delivering a “thrown” ball, igniting fresh controversy.

But this is not the first time the bowler faced this blame. Ahead of the tournament final, he stepped up to defend the legitimacy of his bowling action.

“There are two corners on my elbow which make it hard for me to straighten fully. As you can see from history, whenever spinners faced allegations of chucking, they went to the lab, tried to modify their action, and worked on the correct degree of flexion,” he said.

“That sometimes confuses spectators. I have undergone two official tests in Pakistan, and my action was cleared. Unlike others, I didn’t have to change anything. I was confident because I know I am not throwing,” he added.

Tariq fires back at his critics with a bold response

After Tom Banton’s accusations, criticism of Usman Tariq hit hard. Social media erupted with debates and divided opinions. Reflecting on those, Tariq gave a sharp response to shut the noise.

“If you don’t understand cricket and still comment or share opinions, illiteracy can kill knowledge. It’s better to understand the game first,” he said.

The Desert Vipers turned heads with their exceptional outing throughout the tournament. After the qualifier 1, they will face the MI Emirates again in the final clash while eyeing the trophy.