![Shahrukh Khan's TKR signs Pakistan player [Source: x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1784817465994_Abrar_Ahmed_TKR.jpg?type=hq)
Shahrukh Khan's TKR signs Pakistan player [Source: x]
The Shah Rukh Khan-owned Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) franchise took the Kavya Maran-owned Sunrisers Leeds' route by signing a Pakistani cricketer for the upcoming CPL 2026 season. Mere months after the Sunrisers stoked controversy by roping in Abrar Ahmed for The Hundred 2026, the Knight Riders have retained fellow Pakistani spinner Usman Tariq.
Tariq became one of the three overseas players to be retained by the Knight Riders franchise on Thursday, July 23, i.e., just a couple of weeks before the impending 14th edition of the Caribbean T20 carnival.
Usman Tariq to return for TKR’s title defense in CPL 2026
Defending champions TKR have announced their overseas retentions for the upcoming CPL 2026 season in the Caribbean. Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq is one of the three players retained by the franchise, considering he finished the CPL 2025 season last year as one of its highest wicket-takers.
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Interestingly, the Knight Riders followed the footsteps of Kavya Maran-led Sunrisers Leeds franchise after the latter roped in another Pakistan spinner in the form of Abrar Ahmed for The Hundred 2026 in England.
Both Tariq and Abrar Ahmed’s signings came at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, with sporting ties between the two nations remaining limited. As a result, the inclusion of Pakistani players in overseas franchise leagues owned by Indian business groups has drawn significant attention and sparked debate among sections of fans.
What is Usman Tariq’s record in CPL?
Usman Tariq has bagged 20 wickets in 10 CPL matches at an average of 13.95, a strike rate of 11.4 and an economy of 7.31.
The CPL 2025 marked Tariq's maiden appearance in the CPL, where he finished with 20 wickets for Trinbago Knight Riders franchise in their title-winning campaign.
Concluding the season as its second highest wicket-taker, Tariq’s bowling average of 13.95 marked the best among any bowler with at least a wicket to his name.
TKR also sign up Breetzke, Silva; retain Munro and Hales
Apart from Usman Tariq, the Shahrukh Khan-owned Knight Riders franchise also retained England’s T20 World Cup-winning opener Alex Hales and explosive New Zealand top-order batter Colin Munro for the CPL 2026 season.
The franchise also signed up South Africa star Matthew Breetzke and Sri Lanka-born USA all-rounder Amshi de Silva as new recruits to cap their overseas stars for their title defence.
West Indies legends to helm TKR core
West Indies T20 veterans Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran and Sunil Narine will once again helm the core of the TKR franchise, alongside active spinner Akeal Hosein. Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves and Nathan Edward are some of the other players set to partake in TKR’s title defence in CPL 2026. Here is a look at the entire TKR squad.
TKR squad for CPL 2026
Abdul-Raheem Toppin, Akeal Hosein, Dexter Sween, Dominic Drakes, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Jyd Goolie, Kieron Pollard, Nathan Edward, Nicholas Pooran, Sunil Narine, Terrance Hinds, Usman Tariq, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Matthew Breetzke and Amshi de Silva.
As per the schedule, the Knight Riders franchise will take on the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in their opening match of the CPL 2026 season on August 8.
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