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

A New Era for Cricket Officiating

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is preparing to introduce a transformative set of amendments to its playing conditions. A council meeting, led by Jay Shah, is scheduled for May 30 in Ahmedabad, where these significant rule changes will be finalized. While several upgrades are on the horizon, the most prominent agenda item is the governing body’s intensified focus on curbing illegal bowling actions that have plagued the sport for years.

Empowering On-Field Umpires

Historically, the process for identifying and sanctioning bowlers with suspicious actions has been cumbersome. Currently, on-field officials possess limited authority, and formal investigations are typically deferred to a dedicated ICC committee, which only acts after a series has concluded. This delay often results in bowlers continuing to participate despite valid concerns regarding their legality.

Reports indicate that the ICC is now planning to bridge this gap by providing on-field umpires with access to sophisticated HawkEye data. By equipping officials with this technology, the ICC intends to give them the immediate power to adjudicate on suspected illegal actions during the course of a match. As noted in recent reports, while the exact logistics of this implementation are still being refined, the organization’s determination to restore balance to the contest between bat and ball is clear.

The Focus on Usman Tariq

The urgency of these regulatory updates is perhaps best exemplified by the recent discourse surrounding Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq. Tariq’s distinctive and unconventional bowling style has drawn persistent attention from players and analysts alike. His action has been the subject of multiple controversies, most notably during the recent Australian tour of Pakistan. During that series, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green publicly questioned Tariq’s action, signaling his concerns to the umpires regarding potential ‘chucking.’ Although Green later issued an apology, the incident highlighted the growing friction Tariq’s style causes on the field.

The scrutiny continued during the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL), where New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell expressed his discomfort by backing away from the crease on two separate occasions while facing Tariq. These repeated incidents underscore the necessity for the proposed real-time monitoring system. Under the new regulations, umpires would no longer need to wait for post-match reports; they would have the tools to evaluate Tariq’s delivery in real-time to determine if his action crosses the threshold of legality.

Understanding the 15-Degree Limit

To provide clarity, it is essential to revisit the established ICC law regarding bowling actions. According to current ICC playing conditions, an action is defined as illegal if the bowler’s elbow extension exceeds 15 degrees between the arm reaching the horizontal position and the point of ball release. This rule serves as the benchmark for fairness in modern cricket.

It is important to note, however, that Usman Tariq has previously undergone rigorous testing at the ICC-accredited centre in Lahore, where his action was deemed to be within the permitted limits. Former ICC umpire Anil Chaudhary has previously weighed in on the nuance of Tariq’s bowling, suggesting that while the pause in his action might be perceived as unconventional, it does not necessarily constitute a violation unless it becomes a tool for deception. The challenge for the ICC, therefore, lies in distinguishing between a unique, legal style and a mechanical breach of the 15-degree rule.

Moving Forward

As the May 30 meeting approaches, the cricketing community waits to see how these changes will be implemented. The goal of the ICC is not to suppress creativity in bowling but to ensure that all players operate on a level playing field. For bowlers like Usman Tariq, the new rules will provide a definitive framework for officiating, ultimately removing the ambiguity that currently surrounds his, and others’, bowling actions. By placing the power of technology directly into the hands of on-field umpires, the game moves closer to a more objective and transparent era of competition.