Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq once set aside his cricket dreams to work as a salesman in Dubai, but a Bollywood biopic on Indian great Mahendra Singh Dhoni reignited his ambition and altered the course of his life.
Now featuring in his first T20 World Cup, the double-jointed mystery spinner has quickly become one of Pakistan’s most talked-about players. As the highly anticipated clash against India approaches on February 15, Tariq is being viewed as a potential game-changer.
The 30-year-old credits the 2016 film M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story for inspiring him to return to cricket. The movie, based on the journey of India’s World Cup-winning captain, highlighted perseverance and resilience — themes that resonated deeply with Tariq and convinced him it was not too late to pursue his dream.
Since making his international debut three months ago, Tariq has made a striking impact. He has taken 11 wickets in just four T20 internationals, including a hat-trick against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. On his World Cup debut in Colombo this week, he delivered a decisive 3-27 against the United States.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha has described him as the team’s X-factor and a crucial weapon for the high-stakes encounter with India. The management had previously used him sparingly, partly to shield his unusual bowling action from scrutiny.
Tariq’s distinctive style — marked by an exaggerated pause and a sling-shot release — has twice been reported for a suspect action in the past two years. However, he was cleared on both occasions by the International Cricket Council’s laboratory testing.
His action has sparked debate among players and analysts. England’s Tom Banton questioned it during the UAE T20 League last year, while Australia all-rounder Cameron Green mimicked his round-arm style during a pre-World Cup series in Lahore. Despite the chatter, respected figures such as Ravichandran Ashwin and umpire Anil Chaudhary have publicly stated that his action complies with the laws of the game.
Tariq remains unfazed by criticism, pointing out that his rare double-jointed elbow gives his delivery a unique appearance. Confident after being cleared twice, he insists he is focused solely on performance rather than outside noise.
His journey back to cricket began when a friend introduced him to Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman, who connected him with coach Wajahatullah Wasti in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Wasti recalls being struck by Tariq’s unusual action and encouraged him to increase his pace — advice that helped refine his skill set.
Tariq’s progress has been rapid. He claimed 20 wickets in the Caribbean Premier League last year, earning national selection. He revealed that he first learned of his call-up while busy with his wedding preparations, initially assuming it was a joke.
From working in retail in Dubai to becoming a potential match-winner on cricket’s biggest stage, Usman Tariq’s rise has been anything but ordinary — and his next chapter may unfold against Pakistan’s fiercest rivals.