IND vs PAK: Usman Tariq vs Indian batters (Source: AFP)
There’s a saying, “You can love me, you can hate me, but you can’t ignore me.” That’s exactly the case for Pakistan’s mystery spinner Usman Tariq, with only two days left for the highly anticipated IND vs PAK, T20 World Cup 2026 clash.
Before the spotlight completely shifts to the ‘El Clásico’ of cricket, the timeline remains dominated by the Pakistan off-spinner, whose blink-and-you'll-miss-it delivery style has sparked controversy everywhere. Now the question comes, why is Usman Tariq so famous?
Who is Usman Tariq? Pakistan’s ‘Trump card’ for the IND vs PAK encounter
Born on 7 June 1995, in Pakistan’s Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Usman Tariq has emerged as one of the most talked-about bowlers in the recent Pakistan cricket circuit. The 30-year-old has performed exceptionally well at the domestic levels and in T20 cricket in recent times.
Tariq made his T20 debut for Peshawar in the National T20 Cup in November 2023 and featured in the 2024 PSL but did not make an impact. A strong 2024-25 domestic season, where he picked up 22 wickets in 15 matches, revived his prospects.
Notably, the off-spinner played an important role in Quetta Gladiators' run to the 2025 PSL final, taking ten wickets in five matches, including a three-for in Qualifier 1. Moreover, in the Caribbean Premier League, the new Pakistan bowler bagged 20 wickets in 10 games for champions Trinbago Knight Riders, finishing as the tournament's second-highest wicket-taker.
Making his international debut on November 01, 2025, in Lahore, Tariq impressed by removing Reeza Hendricks and Dewald Brevis, helping Pakistan restrict South Africa to 139 for 9 in the series-clinching win. In his second outing, he finished with 4 for 18 - including that hat-trick - against Zimbabwe to cap a sparkling start to international cricket.
However, his bowling action remains a topic of discussion.
That being said, during the second T20I played between Pakistan and Australia, Cameron Green shook his head in disbelief and mocked Tariq's bowling action close to the boundary line - but later apologised - when he walked back after slicing a wide delivery straight to the cover fielder during Pakistan's 3-0 sweep of Australia at Lahore. Thus, sparking another debate around his action.
The controversy around Usman Tariq’s action
Usman Tariq’s explicit action starts with a normal run-up. However, what follows is an unbearably long, exaggerated pause at the release. It seems like a complete stop for up to two seconds before delivering with the side-arm, slinging off-breaks. Not only is it unconventional, but it is also deceptive and is the core of his mysterious bowling action.
Thus, the question of whether Usman Tariq’s action is legal has arisen.
Notably, Tariq’s action has been reported as suspicious twice to date. First, during the 2024 PSL, and in the following season as well. Interestingly, both the times he was cleared after testing at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
On top of that, according to ICC regulations, a pause in the bowling action is legally allowed. The critical measure is elbow extension; bowlers are permitted up to 15 degrees of stretch. Thus, his action may appear unique, even awkward to some, but the decision on whether he should be banned rests solely with the on-field umpires, match referees, and, most importantly, the ICC.
Pakistan captain alerts Indian batters ahead of IND vs PAK encounter
Ahead of the high-voltage clash set for February 15, 2026, Pakistan’s 2026 T20 World Cup captain, Salman Ali Agha, during the match against the USA, remarked that Usman Tariq can prove to be an X-factor for the team. He added that Usman can be a ‘trump card’ for Pakistan against Indian batters.
High-arm googly, carrom ball, low-arm googly, quick arm, and an exaggerated wait before the release make him unpredictable, especially for batters facing him for the first time.
India's batting line-up faced a similar challenge against Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus. The 30-year-old registered the figures of 4-0-20-4, his best ever in the format. Erasmus pulled out every bit of the knowledge from his cricketing brain to make sure that Indian batters never really settled in the crease.
Erasmus' unorthodox spell stalled India's pursuit of a 250-plus total in Delhi, but his variations may have offered a timely preview of the sterner spin examination awaiting them against Pakistan and much-talked-about Usman Tariq in Colombo on Sunday.
Moreover, the game is scheduled to be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, known for its spin-friendly track. This has been quite evident in the games played so far in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Hence, making the Usman Tariq vs the Indian batters contest even more worthwhile.
The stage is set in Sri Lanka for the IND vs PAK encounter. It will be an interesting battle between India’s powerful batting and Pakistan’s mystery weapon. Will Usman Tariq live up to the hype, or will the duo of Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma be too much to handle?
