Cameron Green Accuses Usman Tariq of Chucking: Viral Outburst Sparks Bowling Action Debate

Watch: Pak bowler under fire! Green’s angry reaction to Tariq goes viral

Introduction: Victory Overshadowed by a Heated Exchange

Pakistan’s cricket fans had every reason to celebrate. A commanding 198/5 built on Salman Agha’s 76 and Usman Khan’s 53, followed by a clinical bowling performance that skittled Australia for just 108—sealing a 2-0 unassailable lead in the T20I series in Lahore. It was a statement win on home soil.

But within hours, the narrative shifted. Not to the spin mastery of Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed, but to a brief, tense moment involving Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and debutant pacer Usman Tariq. After being bowled by Tariq, Green turned to the umpire and appeared to question the legality of the delivery—sparking what’s now known as the Usman Tariq chucking controversy.

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The Viral Moment: Breaking Down Green’s Reaction

In the 14th over of Australia’s chase, Cameron Green—batting on 12—was clean bowled by a quicker, skiddy delivery from Usman Tariq. As he walked off, he stopped briefly, looked at the on-field umpire, and gestured with his hand while mouthing words clearly interpreted by viewers as “that’s a chuck.”

Though broadcast audio didn’t capture it, lip-reading analysts and social media users were unanimous. Within minutes, the clip trended globally, with #TariqAction and #GreenOutburst flooding platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. The incident quickly became the talking point of the match—even more than Pakistan’s dominant performance.

Who Is Usman Tariq—and Has His Action Been Cleared?

Usman Tariq, 26, is a right-arm fast bowler from Karachi making his international debut in this series. Known for his slingy, round-arm action—a style common in subcontinental pace bowlers—his delivery can appear unusual to those unfamiliar with biomechanical diversity in cricket.

Critically, **Tariq underwent mandatory testing at the PCB’s ICC-accredited biomechanics laboratory in Lahore before selection**. According to official PCB sources, his elbow extension was measured at **13.4 degrees**, comfortably under the ICC’s permissible limit of 15 degrees [[1]]. This means his action is not only legal—it’s been formally certified as such.

For context, legendary bowlers like Lasith Malinga and Shoaib Akhtar also used similar slingy actions—all deemed legal after rigorous testing.

What Does the ICC Say About Bowling Actions?

The International Cricket Council’s regulations are clear and structured:

  • Under the ICC Regulations on Bowlers with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions, any bowler whose elbow extension exceeds **15 degrees** during delivery is deemed to have an illegal action [[2]].
  • Only **match officials** (not players) can report a suspect action, which then triggers a formal review process.
  • Players are **strictly prohibited** from publicly accusing opponents of chucking. Such behavior can result in Level 1 or Level 2 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct, potentially leading to fines or suspension.

Notably, **no umpire raised any concern** about Tariq’s action during the match. That silence is legally significant—it means, per ICC protocol, there was no basis for suspicion on the field.

Cameron Green’s Frustration: Sportsmanship or Overstep?

Green has long been vocal about upholding cricket’s integrity. In past domestic matches, he’s supported formal reviews of questionable actions. But experts argue there’s a right way—and a wrong way—to raise concerns.

“If you suspect something, you inform your captain or team management, who can then follow official channels,” says former ICC match referee Roshan Mahanama. “Publicly accusing a debutant on live TV—especially after getting out—is poor form.”

Others defend Green’s passion. “He’s protecting the game,” said one Australian commentator. But the counterpoint is strong: **if the action is cleared, the accusation becomes not just wrong—but damaging** to a young player’s reputation.

Expert and Fan Reactions: A Deeply Divided Cricket World

Reactions have split along predictable lines:

  • Pakistani fans and media called the incident “disrespectful” and “xenophobic,” arguing that slingy actions are often mislabeled as “chucking” due to bias.
  • Australian supporters praised Green for “standing up for fair play,” though many admitted the timing was unfortunate.
  • Neutral analysts emphasized that perception ≠ reality. “Just because it looks odd doesn’t mean it’s illegal,” noted ESPNcricinfo’s Samir Chopra.

Even Australian coach Andrew McDonald remained tight-lipped post-match, saying only: “We respect the umpires’ judgment and the processes in place.” A diplomatic—but telling—response.

Conclusion: Where Do We Go From Here?

The Usman Tariq chucking controversy is less about biomechanics and more about emotion, optics, and the pressures of high-stakes cricket. Tariq bowled legally, performed brilliantly, and earned his place on the world stage. Green, frustrated in a lost cause, let his guard down—and now faces scrutiny of his own conduct.

Hopefully, this moment serves as a reminder: in modern cricket, **evidence trumps emotion**. If players have concerns, they must use the system—not social media or on-field outbursts. For a deeper dive into how bowling actions are tested, check out our guide on [INTERNAL_LINK:how-icc-verifies-bowling-actions].

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