T20 World Cup 2026: 'Don't bowl with full sleeves' - Irfan Pathan decodes method to identify Usman Tariq's suspicious bowling action

Ahead of the India-Pakistan clash at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, mystery spinner Usman Tariq has grabbed immense headlines due to his action. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has now broken the silence, giving a detailed breakdown of how umpires can better assess actions that raise suspicion.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan made it clear that India does not need to publicly complain. Referring to umpire Ajay Verma’s observations, Pathan explained that side-arm bowlers, like Lasith Malinga or Matheesha Pathirana, often create visibility challenges for umpires because the arm comes from the side rather than above the shoulder.

"The Indian team doesn't need to say anything. But the three battles that I talked about there is one more thing in that. There is a lot of talk about Usman Tariq. About action. Two things. Ajay Verma is an umpire.He has done umpiring in our legend league. He had a very good point. If a sidearm player comes, whose hand comes from the side, like Malinga, Pathirana, etc. The umpire who stands, the hand of the bowler comes from the chest. Ballers have a problem in visibility. If the hand comes from the side," he said.

The umpire can definitely intervene in this: Irfan Pathan

He added that when the ball passes close to the umpire during release, visibility becomes an issue. He explained that a bent stance would allow clearer sight of the bowling arm against the sightscreen.

"If the hand is above the shoulder, then it is legal. The shoulder should not be below the shoulder at the time of release. If the ball goes near the umpire at the time of release,  when there is a problem in visibility, Ajay Verma had a very good advice. The umpire should stand a little bent.  And the cap should be black. This is my thought. If they stand bent, then their hand will come from the side screen. They can do this. The umpire can definitely intervene in this," he added.

Pathan further suggested that full sleeves can hide elbow flexion, making it harder to judge legality. He also revealed that the deliveries that are bowled at a higher speed need to be given more attention. 

"There is one more thing. All the bowlers whose action is doubtful, I am not just talking about them. I think this is Usman Tariq's action. In all the balls, his hand does not bend much. When he bowls normally, you have to keep an eye on those who stop and hit very fast. Those who hit the ball very hard. In which the speed increases. You have to keep an eye on that hand. But I have a request from the umpire. If you want to pay attention to this in the future, then you can pay attention. On whichever bowler's action, you feel that the 15-degree rune they put more balls than that. Because many bowlers have a problem putting it upside down.

There are not many problems in normal offswing. Now many bowlers who go to put fast, their hands may be more bent. Then don't let them bowl in full sleeves. Then you will get a better idea. Of course, when you go to the ICC, you have to check. All the machines are installed there. It is checked properly there. Your speed is matched. Then it is cleared. They have been cleared. But if you hit the fast ball, then all the bowlers, not just him, tell any bowler that you cannot bowl in full sleeves. Because you don't know in full sleeve, how much your hand is bending. So you will see many old bowlers, who have a problem in action, bowl in full sleeves. That's why they do it. Because you don't know the clear picture," he concluded.

Check out the full video below: