Fact Check- Were Pakistan Players Treated As Terrorists? Usman Tariq Investigated

Usman Tariq [Source: @Incognitocric/x]

Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq has allegedly questioned Sri Lanka Police for giving an “unfair treatment” to him and his teammates. According to a quote trending on social media, the 28-year-old said that the security officials in Colombo differentiated between India and Pakistan players during their Group A match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 earlier this week.

Here, we determine the exact nature of Usman Tariq’s controversial quote and whether or not it is true in the first place.

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Did Usman Tariq really question Sri Lanka police over bag check?

On Friday, February 20, i.e., a day prior to Pakistan’s Group 2 match of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against New Zealand, a particular Usman Tariq quote was trending on social media. The quote in question refers to Tariq alleging “unfair treatment” on part of Sri Lanka police for inspecting player’s bags.

As per the quote, the 28-year-old spinner said that after Pakistan’s defeat against India in Colombo, the police did not check the luggage of any Indian player but subjected the Pakistan squad to additional scrutiny, allegedly treating them differently during routine security procedures.

The exact quote reads, “We are not upset that we lost to India. What hurts is that the Sri Lankan police did not check the Indian player's bags, Whereas every one of our players including the team staff had their bags checked twice. Why this partiality against us?”

Upon detailed inspection, CREX has come to a conclusion that neither Usman Tariq nor any other Pakistani player were subjected to any form of ‘unfair treatment’ at any stage of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The quote circulating on social media has been found to be fabricated and devoid of any credible source or official confirmation.

Pakistan players brace for another form of ‘discrimination’

While Usman Tariq’s alleged “unfair treatment” quote was found to be fabricated and baseless, the Pakistan players might well be heading towards another form of cricketing discrimination, albeit in England.

Earlier on the same day, several media reports claimed that India-owned Hundred franchises will not be signing any Pakistan cricketers for the upcoming 2026 edition of the tournament. 

The reported stance comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions between the two nations, which have increasingly spilled over into cricketing and commercial decisions ever since the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack that took place last year.

No handshake, boycott drama among Pakistan’s off-field episodes

While not from Sri Lanka Police, the Pakistan players are also certainly facing another form of discrimination from their Indian counterparts. Since the cross-border standoff between the two nations in mid-2025, Indian cricketers have refused to shake hands with Pakistan players.

The trend started during the 2025 Asia Cup in the UAE last year, and continued with the Group A clash between the two sides last weekend in Colombo.

Earlier this month, the PCB and the Pakistan government also barred the Pakistan team from facing India, before getting forced to reverse their decision after ICC’s threatening intervention.

Pakistan to face New Zealand in Super 8 opener

Nonetheless, the Pakistan cricket team will now face New Zealand in the opening match of the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The match will be hosted by the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and the action will commence from 7:00 PM IST onwards.

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