'Batter has every right': Ashwin supports Daryl Mitchell after Usman Tariq's 'Pause' drama in PSL

Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has come out in support of Daryl Mitchell after the New Zealand batter raised concerns over Usman Tariq’s unusual delivery pause during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 clash in Karachi.

The incident occurred during the match between Quetta Gladiators and Rawalpindi, where Mitchell pulled away twice while facing Tariq, clearly uncomfortable with the bowler’s stop-start action. During the ninth over at the National Stadium, Mitchell initially played a paddle sweep but soon appeared unsettled by Tariq’s delayed release. As the over progressed, he stepped away twice mid-delivery, pointing out the pause in the bowler’s action.

The repeated interruptions prompted the on-field umpires to intervene and have a brief discussion with the batter before allowing play to continue. Mitchell was later dismissed, caught and bowled by Saud Shakeel, as Rawalpindi suffered a heavy 61-run defeat.

Ashwin’s Take: “Batters Have Every Right”

Ashwin, who had earlier spoken about such tactics on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, reiterated that batters are well within their rights to pull away if they feel the bowler’s action disrupts timing.

''Now it’s up to the umpires and match referees to time the pause for his delivery. If the pause isn’t consistent, then the batter has every right to move away. The captains and opposition batters should raise this issue with the umpires and match referees before the game begins. Well done, Mitchell.'' Ashwin wrote.

Interestingly, Ashwin had earlier suggested this exact approach, encouraging batters to step away, forcing umpires to call a dead ball and thereby neutralising any advantage gained from irregular bowling rhythms. Tariq’s action has been under scrutiny for some time due to its distinctive pause before release, followed by a low follow-through. While he has been reported twice for a suspect action in the past, he has been cleared on both occasions.