A flashpoint moment lit up the second T20I between Pakistan and Australia on Saturday after Cameron Green’s dismissal triggered an on-field controversy and a sharp off-field response.

Also Read: ‘Blatant chucker?’ Cameron Green’s reaction fuels storm in Lahore T20I

Green, batting on 35 and emerging as Australia’s biggest hope in a 196-run chase following the early exits of Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, had begun to put Pakistan under pressure when he was dismissed by spinner Usman Tariq. What followed, however, drew almost as much attention as the wicket itself.

As he walked back to the dugout, Green made a noticeable gesture suggesting that he believed Tariq’s delivery was illegal, an apparent accusation of “chucking” that was quickly picked up by cameras and viewers.

Tariq’s bowling action has long divided opinion. The off-spinner delivers the ball after a brief pause near the point of release, almost coming to a complete halt before rolling his fingers over the ball. The unusual rhythm has often given batters the impression of elbow flexion, even though no formal action was taken during the match.

Relatively new to Pakistan’s international setup, Tariq made his professional debut in 2023 and has since featured in multiple T20 leagues. He has claimed eight T20I wickets at an average of 7.50 and an economy rate of 5.62, numbers that underline his early impact.

Green, however, appeared unconvinced. Cameras caught him gesturing to teammates as he returned to the bench, reinforcing the suggestion that he felt Tariq was throwing the ball.

The exchange did not end there. Later in the day, Tariq responded on Instagram, sharing a Story captioned “After getting out,” accompanied by an image of a crying child, a pointed reply that further fuelled the debate online.

Usman Tariq

This is not the first time Tariq’s action has come under scrutiny. While playing for Quetta Gladiators, he was reported twice during the Pakistan Super League in the 2024 season by umpires Asif Yaqoob and Richard Illingworth, and again in 2025 by Ahsan Raza and Chris Brown.

On both occasions, Tariq underwent biomechanical testing at Lahore’s National Cricket Academy and was cleared to continue bowling.

“I do have two elbows in my arm. My arm bends naturally,” Tariq told MYK Sports.
“I’ve been tested and cleared. People feel I bend my arm, but it’s a biological issue.”

The episode revived memories of a similar incident in 2022, when Australian players mocked Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain over a suspect bowling action, a reminder that action-related controversies continue to flare in high-stakes contests.