PAK vs AUS 2026: Usman Tariq's Instagram story suggests Cameron Green apologized for 'chucking' allegations

Cameron Green has seemingly issued an apology to Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq after appearing to accuse him of chucking during Saturday’s second T20I in Lahore, an incident that has since drawn reactions from both camps, including support for the bowler from former Australia cricketer Usman Khawaja.

The Men in Green sealed a dominant 90-run win at the Gaddafi Stadium, dismissing Australia for just 108 in 15.4 overs in a match where all ten wickets fell to spin. The defeat marked the visiting side's heaviest T20I loss in 21 years and handed the Salman Ali Agha-led side an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

The flashpoint occurred in the 11th over of Australia’s chase. Green, batting well on 35, mistimed a wide delivery from Tariq towards point and was dismissed, leaving Australia six wickets down for 76. As he walked back to the pavilion, the all-rounder was seen mimicking a baseball-style throwing action, a gesture widely interpreted as questioning the legality of Tariq’s bowling.

Tariq, playing only his third T20I, finished with figures of 2-16 from 2.4 overs and also removed Australian tailender Matthew Kuhnemann. Despite the incident, there has been no indication that Australia or the on-field officials lodged a formal complaint regarding the 30-year-old’s action.

The following morning, Tariq took to Instagram with a post that appeared to mock Green, sharing a video of a crying child with the caption “After getting out,” alongside a laughing emoji. A day later, he posted, “Apology accepted,” suggesting that Green had reached out privately.

Agha, the Pakistan skipper, too, weighed in on the matter, criticising the conduct shown by the Australian all-rounder.

“It’s not his job [to decide whether Tariq is chucking], it’s the responsibility of the match referee and the umpires,” Salman Ali Agha said in the post match conference.

On Monday, Usman Khawaja publicly defended Tariq via an Instagram story, urging fans to exercise restraint and empathy.

“There aren’t many things worse than being called a chucker in cricket. The stigma is real. The man is just doing his best and been cleared twice. Let’s have some perspective and understanding and stop jumping to conclusions,” he said. 

Tariq’s bowling action is notably unconventional. After pausing near the point of release, he delivers off-breaks with a slinging motion and a visibly bent arm. Since making his professional debut in 2023, he has featured in several domestic T20 leagues, including the Caribbean Premier League and ILT20. At the international level, he has claimed eight T20I wickets at an average of 7.50, while conceding just 5.62 runs per over.

Under ICC regulations, a bowling action is deemed illegal if a bowler’s elbow extends by more than 15 degrees between the point where the arm reaches horizontal and the moment of release. Any natural hyperextension is excluded from this assessment.

My bent arm is a biological issue: Tariq

Tariq has twice been reported for a suspected illegal action while representing Quetta Gladiators during the Pakistan Super League in 2024 and 2025. On both occasions, he 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. I have got this tested and cleared. Everyone feels I bend my arms and all that. My bent arm is a biological issue,” he told MYK Sports.

Despite those clearances, scrutiny has followed Tariq. His action again came under the spotlight following Pakistan’s four-wicket win over South Africa in November. Later that month, he delivered a career-best performance against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi, taking 4-18, including a hat-trick, and earning player-of-the-match honours.

During the recently concluded ILT20 2025-26, when England batter Tom Banton questioned his action, Tariq responded forcefully in an interview.

“There are two corners on my (elbow) which make it hard for me to straighten. That causes confusion for the spectators. I have given two tests at labs in Pakistan. My action was cleared. As you can see from before, in history, when any spinner had allegations (of chucking) against them, they went to the lab. They tried to change their action and develop the right degrees," he said as per The National.

"When I went for the test, within one week, it was cleared. I didn’t get the answer that you have to change your action, or improve the degrees. I was confident about my action because I knew that I am not throwing. I would love to give a message on this platform that every single person who is commenting on these things, they should study first about cricket, then they should go for the allegations," he expressed.

"If you don’t have knowledge about cricket and you are just commenting or sharing your thoughts, then illiteracy can kill knowledge. It is better to have knowledge, then after you can comment on anyone,” he concluded.

Tariq is not the first Pakistan bowler to face chucking accusations from Australian players. In 2022, fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain was mocked by Moises Henriques during a BBL match and later by Marcus Stoinis in The Hundred. Hasnain was subsequently banned from bowling after testing in Lahore confirmed his action was illegal.

Australian cricket has also faced its own scrutiny. Kuhnemann was reported for a suspect action during last year’s Test tour of Sri Lanka but was later cleared following an independent assessment in Brisbane. In 2020, Sydney Thunder all-rounder Chris Green was banned from bowling for 90 days after being reported in the Big Bash League.