Turning the tables: Pak's Usman Tariq slams Daryl Mitchell for using R Ashwin's ploy
Usman Tariq slams Daryl Mitchell for using R Ashwin's suggested tactic to counter his bowling pause, calling it unsporting conduct. The incident happened during a PSL game when Mitchell decided to pull out of the delivery multiple times.
Tariq slammed Mitchell for using Ashwin's ploy (Courtesy: Reuters/PSL video screengrab)
Usman Tariq criticised New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell after he used advice from R Ashwin to counter his pause during a Pakistan Super League match. Tariq's bowling action had already sparked debate before the T20 World Cup 2026. The spinner's distinctive bowling features a hypermobile elbow that does not fully straighten, drawing comparisons to Muttiah Muralitharan. His run-up includes a diagonal approach with a brief pause before delivery, disrupting the batter's timing.
During the T20 World Cup, Ashwin suggested on his YouTube channel that batters could move away if Tariq pauses mid-delivery and said it was well within the rules to do so.
“If Tariq pauses before delivery, the batter has the right to move away. The batter can say, ‘I don't know when the ball is coming, so I moved away,’” said Ashwin.
MITCHELL USES ASHWIN'S PLOY
Mitchell applied this tactic in the PSL match between Rawalpindi Pindiz and Quetta Gladiators. He moved away from his crease and signalled the umpire that he was unprepared to face the ball, withdrawing multiple times during the over.
Commentator Ramiz Raja criticised Mitchell, suggesting he could have handled the situation better. The tactic drew attention for its impact on the game's flow.
TARIQ'S RESPONSE
In response, Tariq posted on his Instagram stories, citing the cricket rule book and calling the tactic foul play. The rules state that continuous deliberate distraction or time-wasting by the batter may result in a warning and a five-run penalty to the fielding side.
"Unsporting Conduct (Foul Play): If the batter does this continuously to deliberately distract the bowler or waste time, it can be deemed unfair play. The umpire has the discretion to warn the batter, and if it continues, issue a penalty (usually 5 penalty runs to the fielding side).
"Happy to hear 5 penalty runs keep it up," read the Instagram story of Tariq.
This was the first time a cricketer used this ploy against him during a game.
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