Pakistan off-spinner Usman Tariq has emerged as a talking point in the T20 World Cup with 11 wickets in just four T20Is, thanks to his unusual pause-and-release action. Ahead of the India-Pakistan clash in Colombo, former India spinner Venkatapathy Raju said new bowlers often carry the element of surprise, though mastering such an action isn’t easy
Pakistan’s Usman Tariq during his 3-27 against USA in Colombo on Tuesday. PIC/Getty Images
Pakistan’s off-spinner Usman Tariq, 28, has played just four T20Is so far, but he has claimed 11 wickets thanks to his unique pause-and-release bowling action. Understandably, he has grabbed the limelight in the ongoing T20 World Cup, and more so since he may have a say in Pakistan’s upcoming clash with arch-rivals India in Colombo on Sunday.
Former national selector and ex-India left-arm spinner Venkatapathy Raju reckoned any new bowler brings in the element of surprise. “When something is new, it’ll always be a mystery. People take time because they use video analysis to watch everything and then approach things differently. Also, when you’re playing [against Tariq] for the first time, how much ever you’ve seen him before, while facing him, it will be totally different,” Raju told mid-day over the phone from Hyderabad.
Venkatapathy Raju, Nilesh Kulkarni and Narendra Hirwani
Raju, 56, who represented India in 28 Tests and 53 ODIs, however, stressed that it’s not easy to do what Tariq does. “It’s not easy to pause and bowl. There were very few who could do it, like R Ashwin and maybe one or two bowlers, because bowling is all about rhythm. We should give credit to somebody who’s doing this,” added Raju about Tariq, who claimed 3-27 when Pakistan beat USA in Colombo on Tuesday.
Former India left-arm spinner and ex-Mumbai captain Nilesh Kulkarni felt ICC should probe the bend in Tariq’s bowling arm. “The 15 degree bending of the arm, which is the ICC rule, can’t be judged with the naked eye, so it has to be scientifically verified. Otherwise, his bowling is legitimate and even the pause is allowed. Ashwin did it, as did Kedar Jadhav,” Kulkarni told mid-day on Thursday.
Interestingly, Kulkarni felt that Suryakumar Yadav & Co will not struggle against Tariq as most of them have come through tennis-ball cricket, where such tactics are common. “We [India] have an advantage as most of our batters come from a good tennis-ball cricket structure where these tactics are used a lot. The Indian batters must use this to their advantage and prepare well [for Tariq]. And if you prepare well, he won’t be a threat,” added Kulkarni.
Ex-national selector and leg-spinner Narendra Hirwani, 57, who played 17 Tests and 18 ODIs, however, felt Tariq will hold the edge initially. “When a bowler takes a pause, he gets that extra time to see any late movement or shuffle by the batter and can change his delivery at the last moment. So, Tariq will have that advantage. Also, he bowls with a stand-up action which means he has good power in his fingers and shoulders and can generate good speed,” Hirwani told mid-day over the phone from Indore.
The former leggie, however, believes every bowler will eventually get found out, if a batter observes closely. “If he [Tariq] is taking time to bowl, you, as a batter, also take your time. Use the first few balls to watch him closely. I’m not saying block him, but take singles initially; you can always make up for that run-rate later. I believe all our batters are good enough to catch up with a bowler like Tariq by investing time in observing him first,” concluded Hirwani.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
