Pakistan‘s newest mystery spinner, Usman Tariq, has recently claimed that the intense scrutiny surrounding his bowling action will backfire on the Indian team. Following his match-winning three-wicket haul against the USA on February 10, 2026, Tariq suggested that the chatter from Indian fans and former players indicates a lack of confidence in facing his unique ‘pause-and-sling’ delivery style.
T20 World Cup 2026: Usman Tariq dismisses ‘chucking’ allegations and shifts pressure to Team India
Tariq has addressed the fresh wave of ‘chucking’ accusations following his T20 World Cup debut, insisting that the legal debate only serves to distract his opponents. As per the Indian Express, Tariq remarked: ‘I guess, there will be extra pressure on them. Because, the way they’re discussing these things, I think, if they’re just discussing it in that sense, meaning, they’re just objecting on that, it shows that, maybe, there will be extra pressure on them.’
Despite the social media uproar and gestures from players like Australia’s Cameron Green, Tariq remains unbothered, stating: ‘I’m really focusing on my games. I don’t have any idea what’s going around in the media and stuff. It’s a simple thing that I’m just focusing on my cricket and practice.’ The off-spinner, who has been reported twice during the PSL but cleared by the ICC on both occasions, attributes the visual ‘bend’ in his arm to a natural medical condition, clarifying that he possesses double-jointed elbows that create a biological illusion of an illegal extension.
Spinner Usman shares his bowling tactics for blockbuster Colombo Clash against India
Looking ahead to the high-stakes encounter against India on February 15 in Colombo, Tariq is determined to treat the match as a “normal game” to avoid the mental fatigue associated with the rivalry’s hype. Usman stated “Obviously, all of us are focusing on one thing, that any game comes to us, we have to give our best. And in this way, we have to win this World Cup… it’s just a normal game for me, for the team. Because, when you’re just getting that hype, or that kind of thing on your mind, obviously, it’s better to keep it simple.”
Pakistan’s strategy against India appears to be spin-heavy, as evidenced by their use of four frontline spinners against the USA. Tariq believes that sticking to the basics is the only way to secure a victory, concluding: “We should count [our record] from the beginning, because those are also the title matches. It’s better to keep it simple and just stick to the plans, that’s it.”
Usman Tariq: T20 World Cup 2026 Profile
| Stat/Detail | Value/Status |
|---|---|
| World Cup Debut | 3/27 vs USA (Feb 10, 2026) |
| ICC Status | Legally Cleared (Cleared twice after PSL reports) |
| Unique Trait | “Pause-and-deliver” action with double-jointed elbow |
| Next Fixture | vs India, Colombo (Feb 15, 2026) |
