The regulations on whether a bowler is “bowling” are simple.

Bowlers are not allowed to extend their arm more than 15 degrees from the moment the arm reaches the shoulder in the bowling action.

“An illegal bowling action is a bowling action in which the extension of the player’s elbow exceeds 15 degrees between the arm reaching the horizontal and the ball being bowled,” the International Cricket Council’s playing conditions say.

Bowlers are first informed by on-field umpires or the match referee with suspicious actions and then have to undergo testing at an ICC approved testing centre.

Tariq’s action was authorized in the center of Lahore, Pakistan.

The laws and regulations surrounding Tariq’s hiatus are less clear, with the issue falling under the “unfair play” section of the laws and conditions of play, rather than being explicitly defined by a law.

Umpires on the field can interpret the unfair play law, possibly using Law 41.5 which covers “deliberate distraction or deception of the batsman” or broader unfair play laws, to ensure that the match is conducted fairly.

“If the pause is obviously longer or shorter, or if he bowls without pause, it will be considered cheating,” was an interpretation offered by former ICC referee Anil Chaudhary this week.

“Everything seems fine so far. I don’t see anything wrong.”

The issue arose in 2014 when former India player Ravichandran Ashwin paused his delivery pace, resulting in a tightening of the way umpires interpreted these laws.

Umpires must judge whether the length of a break in a pitcher’s action is fair or unfair.