ICC to Empower Umpires Against Illegal Bowling Actions: Impact on Usman Tariq

A New Era for Bowling Regulation

The landscape of international cricket is on the verge of a significant transformation. Under the leadership of the council headed by Jay Shah, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is scheduled to meet on May 30 in Ahmedabad to deliberate on substantial amendments to current playing conditions. Among the various upgrades under consideration, the most notable is a rigorous, tech-driven crackdown on illegal bowling actions.

Empowering the Men in the Middle

Historically, the process of identifying and reporting ‘chucking’ or illegal bowling actions has been criticized for being slow and cumbersome. Under current regulations, on-field umpires lack the authority to take immediate action, and the responsibility falls to the ICC committee to evaluate reports only after a series has concluded. This delay often allows bowlers with suspicious actions to continue operating throughout an entire series, which many argue undermines the integrity of the game.

Reports indicate that the ICC is planning to change this by equipping on-field umpires with a specialized device or direct access to HawkEye data. By providing umpires with real-time analytics during the match, the governing body aims to curtail illegal actions as they occur. As noted in recent reports, the exact mechanics of this process are still being finalized, but the intent is clear: the ICC is determined to eliminate ambiguity regarding bowling deliveries.

The Spotlight on Usman Tariq

This potential rule change holds significant implications for Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq. His unique bowling action has recently become a subject of intense discussion within the cricketing community. Tariq’s unconventional delivery style has drawn scrutiny from various professional cricketers, leading to high-profile incidents on the field.

During a recent tour of Pakistan, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green publicly questioned Tariq’s action, signaling to the umpires that he believed the bowler was ‘chucking.’ Although Green later issued an apology, the incident highlighted the growing tension surrounding Tariq’s bowling. Similar frustration was observed during the 2026 PSL, where Daryl Mitchell opted to back away from his stance on two occasions, visibly dissatisfied with Tariq’s approach to the crease.

Defining the Boundary of Legality

It is important to note that the ICC currently defines an illegal bowling action based on a specific mechanical threshold: the 15-degree rule. According to the official playing conditions, an action is deemed illegal if the player’s elbow extension exceeds 15 degrees between the arm reaching the horizontal position and the point of ball release.

Despite the criticism, Usman Tariq has previously undergone formal assessment at the ICC center in Lahore, where his action was deemed clean. Former ICC umpire Anil Chaudhary has also weighed in on the matter in the past, noting that while the pause in Tariq’s action is unique, it does not necessarily violate the current laws of the game. Chaudhary emphasized that provided the pause does not constitute deception, there is currently no evidence of an illegal extension.

Moving Forward

The introduction of real-time monitoring will likely provide a final, definitive answer for bowlers whose actions are frequently debated. By moving the assessment from a post-series committee room to the field of play, the ICC is looking to provide immediate clarity to players, spectators, and officials alike. For bowlers like Usman Tariq, this new system will serve as the ultimate test, ensuring that their actions are subjected to the highest standard of scrutiny during every delivery they bowl. As the cricketing world waits for the May 30 meeting, one thing remains certain: the days of relying solely on human observation for bowling actions are coming to an end, ushering in a more precise and technologically advanced future for the sport.