A Pakistani cricket fan confronted an Australian social media content creator at the T20 World Cup venue after videos emerged of the Australian mocking Pakistan bowler Usman Tariq's bowling action.

 

Saud Zohaib Muhammad approached Jake Jeakings at the ground following Pakistan's match against USA, where a viral video showed Jeakings and others mimicking Tariq's bowling style in a mocking manner.

 

The encounter, captured on video, began cordially before taking a heated turn. Muhammad introduced himself as a fan from Pakistan and mentioned he had a gift for Jeakings.

 

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"Oh, what's the gift? Let me get some sandpaper," Jeakings responded, referencing the infamous ball-tampering scandal involving the Australian cricket team.

 

Muhammad then produced sandpaper, which immediately provoked a physical reaction from Jeakings. The Australian began pushing Muhammad, telling him not to approach him like that. Muhammad responded by asking him to stop pushing and to stop trolling Pakistani players.

 

In a follow-up video addressing the incident, Muhammad explained his actions and motivations.

 

"So yesterday, the way I caught Jack, that Australian fan, he always talks like this about Pakistani players, especially Usman Tariq. Brother, first learn about his background. Properly research his story first, then make videos. After that, get as many views as you want. But without proof, you cannot troll someone, you cannot mock someone," Muhammad said.

 

He defended his decision to use the sandpaper as a symbolic gesture. "Anyway, I showed him the mirror. Last night, by showing him sandpaper. And now he'll be calm. Honestly, when I showed him the sandpaper, he completely lost it. I'm telling the truth. He got furious and started arguing, even wanted to fight with me. I don't care about that at all, because my only purpose was to show him the mirror, and I showed him the mirror."

 

Despite the confrontation, Muhammad struck a conciliatory tone about future interactions. "Let's see, the guy actually seems good. We'll meet him again. This time, I'll explain things to him with love and respect," he added.

 

Tariq’s bowling action is distinctive as he follows a normal run-up with a pause at release, almost coming to a complete stop before delivering side-arm, slinging off-breaks.

 

Many cricket analysts, particularly Indian former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, declared his action legal, saying that while he doesn't understand the pause, the action itself is entirely legal because it is Tariq's natural bowling motion.

 

Usman has been reported twice before, first during the 2024 PSL and again in the next edition, however, he was cleared both times.