Usman Tariq is being hailed as Pakistan's "X-factor" heading into the marquee clash against Pakistan.
Amid the buzz around the India versus Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 clash, one name dominating the headlines is Usman Tariq. The mystery spinner, who rose to prominence with his impressive display in franchise cricket, is being hailed as Pakistan's "X-factor" heading into the marquee fixture, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.
Ahead of the big game, Tariq opened up on his MS Dhoni connection. He had given up hope of making it big in cricket, but after watching Dhoni's biopic, Tariq found inspiration in 2016.
"I had left behind the idea of making a name in cricket, but one day I watched this film, and it convinced me that I can also do the same," said Tariq, who began his journey as a salesman in Dubai, in an interview with AFP.
Usman Tariq broke into the Pakistan cricket team after delivering a strong performance in the Caribbean Premier League, picking up 20 wickets.
"My coach informed me about my selection in the Pakistan team while I was busy with my wedding last year, and initially I thought it was a prank," said Tariq.
"But it was true, so I think my wife brought luck for me," he added.
While Tariq has troubled the batters in his brief international journey so far, his unorthodox action has become a major talking point, with many calling him a "blatant chucker."
Tariq’s action has been reported twice, first during PSL 2024 and again in the 2025 season. However, the ICC and PCB have given him clearance.
Recently, former England skipper Kevin Pietersen termed the pause in his loading action "illegal" while ex-India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin offered a different view.
"Okay, let me make it as clear as possible. Firstly, the legalities of his action can only be tested at an ICC bowling action testing centre," Ashwin wrote on X.
"Secondly, there is a 15-degree rule under which a bowler needs to keep his elbow from straightening beyond that limit, and judging this in real time by an on-field umpire is impossible. The only solution is to have a real-time, in-competition testing tool. This is a grey area, and accusing someone of utilising that grey area is wrong," he added.
Usman Tariq has represented Pakistan in four T20Is so far, claiming 11 wickets at an average of 7.90 and an economy rate of 5.93, including a hat-trick against Zimbabwe in figures of 4/18.