A fresh controversy erupted in the Pakistan Super League 2026 during a match between Quetta Gladiators and Pindiz, when Daryl Mitchell briefly refused to face spinner Usman Tariq. The incident occurred during the middle overs of the chase at the National Stadium in Karachi, after Tariq employed his unusual bowling action, which includes a noticeable pause before delivering the ball.
Mitchell appeared uncomfortable with the disruption to his timing and stepped away from the crease multiple times, signalling that he was not ready to face the delivery. His actions led to a brief halt in play, forcing the umpires to intervene and calm the situation. The unusual standoff quickly became the talking point of the match, with commentators and fans debating
the legality and fairness of Tariq’s action.
Watch:
Daryl Mitchell twice pulls out of facing Usman Tariq 😂🤣😭 pic.twitter.com/HlDgOWMlPs
— Taimoor Zaman (@taimoor_ze) April 10, 2026
Commentator Ramiz Raja voiced his frustration during the incident.
“Can he withdraw from his action? I think the umpires have to sort this out. And I think he’s got to be ready. Daryl Mitchell has got to be better than that,” Raja was quoted as saying on air.
Quetta Gladiators Beat Pindiz
Despite the drama, Quetta Gladiators dominated the match. They posted a strong total of 182 for 6, with Rilee Rossouw scoring a steady 53 and Saud Shakeel providing solid support. In response, Rawalpindi struggled to keep up with the required rate and were eventually outplayed.
Tariq, meanwhile, backed up his controversial presence with an impressive performance, finishing with figures of 2 for 23, including the wicket of Mitchell.
Did Ashwin Predict It?
The situation also brought renewed attention to earlier comments made by Ravichandran Ashwin, who had suggested that batters could legally pull away if a bowler’s action disrupts their rhythm.
Although Tariq’s bowling style has been cleared by the authorities, it continues to create confusion and debate on the field.
