LAHORE: Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq hit back at critics and trolled Australia’s Cameron Green following his dismissal in the second T20I of the three-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Tariq took to Instagram and posted a meme video showing a boy crying with the caption “After coming out,” which appeared to be a playful response to Green, who was frustrated after being fired.
The incident occurred on the final delivery of the 11th over of Australia’s innings, when Tariq bowled a fuller delivery that brought Green down on one knee and flicked it in the air to Shadab Khan at that point for a disciplined catch.
On his way back to the pavilion, Green, who scored a 20-ball 35 for Australia, made a ‘throw’ gesture as he reached the tourist side’s dugout, expressing his frustration at Tariq’s slinky bowling action.
Tariq, who made his T20I debut for Pakistan in November last year, has faced similar criticism before, especially when he represented the Desert Vipers in the ILT20 last year.
During the qualifier against MI Emirates, Tom Panton suggested that Tariq’s delivery was “thrown away”.
In response, the spinner explained the unique structure of his elbow, which restricts full extension.
“My elbow has two corners that are hard to straighten completely,” he said.
“Whenever spinners face allegations of chucking, they often change their action after lab tests. I underwent two official tests in Pakistan and my action was cleared. I didn’t have to change anything because I knew I wasn’t bowling.”
The right-arm spinner has been reported twice in his career for questionable bowling action, but both times he was cleared after bowling 24 balls by an ICC-accredited biomechanics laboratory.
Pakistan’s spin duo Tariq and Shadab were instrumental in a comprehensive 90-run win over Australia as the home side took a 2-0 lead in the series ahead of the final T20I on Sunday.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, who won the toss and elected to bat first, scored 198 runs for 5 wickets in 20 overs. Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for 5 in the second over as early wickets fell and Pakistan were 17-1.
The pair put on 55 runs for the second wicket to stabilize the innings, with skipper Agha joining forces with Saim Ayub.
Ayub fell for 23 off 11 balls, followed by Babar Azam caught lbw by Adam Zampa, leaving Pakistan at 76/3 in 7.1 overs.
Agha continued his onslaught and reached his sixth T20I half-century in just 25 balls when he shared 49 runs for the fourth wicket with Shadab Khan. Shaun Abbott dismissed Agha with a 40-ball 76 with 8 fours and 4 sixes.
Usman Khan led Pakistan with 52 off 35 balls in the final overs, sharing a crucial 63-run partnership with Shatab. Mohammad Nawaz scored 10 runs off four balls.
Set a target of 199 to win, Australia were bowled out for 108 in 15.4 overs. Green scored 35 runs off 20 balls and Matthew Short scored 27 runs.
Captain Mitchell Marsh (18) and Xavier Bartlett (10) were the only ones to reach double figures.
Abrar Ahmed and Shatab Khan took 3 wickets each while Tariq took 2 wickets for Pakistan. Saim Ayub and Nawaz took one wicket each.
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