Usman Tariq, the Pakistan mystery spinner, is set to make his debut in the T20 Blast for Warwickshire. Known for his unique bowling action, which has been officially tested and cleared twice, Tariq welcomes any scrutiny from umpires in his new cricketing environment.
At 30, Tariq has had a remarkable journey. After spending his early 20s working for a car-parts company in Dubai, he was inspired by a biopic of India's MS Dhoni to pursue cricket professionally. His decision paid off with a debut in the Pakistan Super League in 2024, leading to international caps and opportunities worldwide.
Unique Bowling Action
Tariq's bowling action has drawn comparisons to Muttiah Muralitharan. Like the Sri Lankan legend, Tariq is unable to straighten his right arm due to a congenital condition where his elbow joint is split, giving the illusion of throwing. He has been tested twice and cleared within a week each time.
"I have faced so many naysayers," Tariq said. "People told me that in the UK, umpires would be harsh on my action. But I said I want to face it. If they feel there's an issue, I'm ready to go to the lab."
Variety of Deliveries
Tariq has developed around six different deliveries, including a carrom ball that breaks to leg. His release point varies, with a low-slung side-arm action reminiscent of Lasith Malinga. He learned the carrom ball as a child in a small house with no space to rotate his arm.
"We used to flick the ball around," he explained. "I took that into tape-ball cricket and gradually learned other deliveries like the wrong'un and the slider."
T20 Blast Changes
The T20 Blast has undergone changes this season. The men's tournament has reduced from 14 to 12 group games, with three groups of six instead of two groups of nine. Teams play two sides outside their group, leading to new fixtures like Yorkshire vs Gloucestershire. The Blast now runs straight through to Finals Day on 18 July at Edgbaston, eliminating the previous gap between group stage and knockouts.
The women's Blast runs in parallel, with 61 double-headers and its Finals Day at the Oval a day earlier. This scheduling allows overseas players like Tariq to seamlessly transition from the Blast to the Hundred.
Tariq's first game for Warwickshire is against Gloucestershire on Friday. He is determined to make an impact and prove his worth in English conditions.
