Pakistan captain Salman Agha has defended off-spinner Usman Tariq’s unorthodox bowling action and called him the side’s “X factor”.

The skipper’s statement comes on the eve of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup opener against the Netherlands in Colombo.

Tariq, who has played three T20 Internationals since his debut against South Africa in November, has been reported twice for a suspect bowling action in the Pakistan Super League. His bowling style culminates in him pausing near the crease before firing the ball in with a side-arm sling-shot action.

The 28-year-old claimed two wickets in his second T20 International, against Australia, and Australia batsman Cameron Green — one of his two victims in that match in Lahore — made a chucking gesture after being dismissed as he made his way off.

“I don’t understand why we are talking about his action because in my opinion it is a fair action,” Salman told reporters.

“He has been tested twice and he has been cleared,” he said.

“I think there is no problem in his action. Yes, he is the X factor of the team, and where we feel that we need an X factor, we will definitely use him.”