Pakistan has been hosting Australia for a three-match T20I series ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Men in Green have already won the series after winning the first two games. In the second T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, while chasing a target of 199 runs, Australia fell short by 91 runs as they were bowled out for 108 runs.
Cameron Green, who was the team’s highest run scorer in the game with 35 runs, made a controversial gesture after his dismissal on Saturday. He appeared to have performed a “chucking” gesture after he was dismissed by Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq, who finished the match with 2-16. This has been the talk of the match and after the game as well.
Australia star Xavier Bartlett explains Cameron Green’s controversial gesture
The Australian all-rounder was annoyed as he walked off the pitch, appearing to do a side-arm chuck as he approached the boundary rope. Grumbling to himself and shaking his head, Green made a second gesture moments later as he approached the Australian team bench. Green has not explained what he was communicating with the gesture.
During the post-match press conference, Australian pacer Xavier Bartlett replied when asked about Green’s reaction. He replied, “I have no idea, I walked out there, and there were tough conditions with all the spinners. I’m not even sure who he got out to because I was trying to scramble to put my pads on.”
Also Read: Revealed: Why Cameron Green listed himself as a batter for IPL Auction 2026?
Usman Tariq to face a ban?
After this incident, Tariq’s action has been under the scanner. Tariq’s bowling action remains unorthodox. He delivers the ball by stopping at the moment of delivery and coming to a near-complete stop before launching off-break deliveries.
This often causes the batter to feel as if he has bent his arm. Twice, he has been reported by umpires in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He has even taken two biomechanical tests at Lahore’s National Cricket Academy. On both occasions, however, the officials cleared Tariq’s action and allowed him to continue bowling in the T20 tournament.
Tariq is a well-known name in T20 domestic tournaments since making his professional debut in 2023. He has taken eight T20I wickets at 7.50 with an economy rate of 5.62. After this Green incident, Usman Tariq hit back at the Australian all-rounder on Instagram. The Pakistan spinner shared an Instagram Story with the caption: “After getting out”, with the video of a kid, mocking Green.
Usman Tariq shares his insights on bowling actions
Tariq told MYK Sports, “I do have two elbows in my arm. My arm bends naturally. I have got this tested and cleared. Everyone feels I bend my arms and all that. My bent arm is a biological issue.” This is Pakistan’s first T20I series win over Australia since 2018.
The final match, which is going to be a dead rubber, is on Sunday night, also in Lahore. Back in 2022, Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain was also accused by Australian players of having an illegal bowling action.
