Muttiah Muralitharan has launched a blistering attack on Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq’s bowling action, branding it “completely illegal” and questioning the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) continued inaction.

According to PTV News, the Sri Lankan legend left little room for doubt. “Usman Tariq’s action is completely illegal. I genuinely don’t know why the ICC has still not taken action against him,” Muralitharan said.

He pointed directly to the visible elbow bend and the unusual pause in Tariq’s run-up. “His elbow bends during delivery, and the two-minute pause he takes in his run-up makes it completely illegal,” he added.

Muralitharan went further, mocking the delay. “At times, it feels like he’d probably take a five-minute pause halfway through his delivery,” he said.

Tariq, who has played three T20 Internationals since debuting against South Africa in November, has already been reported twice for a suspect action during the Pakistan Super League.

Muralitharan also referenced Pakistan’s troubled past with bowling actions, citing Shoaib Akhtar, and controversially naming Sunil Narine, whom he labelled a “cheater”.

With scrutiny intensifying, pressure is mounting on the ICC to address the issue decisively.