LAHORE, Pakistan: Quetta Gladiators’ spinner Usman Tariq has been cleared of a suspect bowling action, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Wednesday, offering a timely boost to the franchise’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 campaign.
Tariq was initially reported for a questionable action by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Chris Brown during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 fixture against Lahore Qalandars at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium last month.
Although regulations permitted him to continue bowling, the mystery spinner was promptly sidelined by the Gladiators, who then requested the PCB to arrange for his action to be tested.
In the latest development, Tariq has successfully passed the evaluation of his bowling action conducted at a PCB-approved biomechanics laboratory in Lahore.
“Quetta Gladiators spinner Usman Tariq, who had earlier been reported for a suspect bowling action, has passed his assessment after undergoing testing at the PCB-accredited biomechanics lab in Lahore,” the PCB announced in a statement.
Tariq’s second trial
“He was reported on 13 April during an HBL PSL 10 match against Lahore Qalandars. The Quetta Gladiators subsequently requested the PCB to allow him to be tested, and he has now cleared the assessment,” the statement added.
This marks the second occasion in Tariq’s PSL career where his action has come under scrutiny.
He was previously reported during the ninth edition of the tournament in a match against Karachi Kings, officiated by Richard Illingworth and Asif Yaqoob.
The 27-year-old had a disappointing campaign in the 2024 season, managing just two wickets in five appearances. However, in the ongoing tenth edition, he has taken three wickets from two matches so far.
Tariq’s clearance represents a significant boost for the Gladiators, who currently sit atop the PSL 10 table with 13 points from nine matches, securing them a guaranteed top-two finish.
