Usman Tariq has emerged as a very exciting and talked-about new cricketer from Pakistan—not just because of his wicket-taking abilities but also because of his bizarre bowling action and life story! From giving up cricket to take a job abroad, returning (by his own admission “a bit too late”), and then becoming an international player, his is a tale of resilience, hope, and self-belief.
This comprehensive biography investigates his early days, evolution as a cricketer, comeback and success in domestic cricket, and controversies on his way to the international arena.
Early Life and Background
Tariq was born into a family of Nowshera on 7 June 1995, which is famous for producing raw-talented sportsmen. Tall and athletic, he evinced an early interest in cricket as a game and took to spin bowling. His eventual height—he would grow to just short of 193 cm—was an obvious plus, permitting him a bounce and angle that most off-spinners could not deliver.
Unlike a lot of young cricketers who start receiving professional coaching, Usman’s journey had many twists and turns. There was a time when chances appeared to be few, and he went off the competitive cricket scene completely. In this period he traveled to Dubai, where he was on a mission as a salesman and earned his living.
Even in his absence from the game, cricket never deserted him. His interest was revived after he watched the biographical movie “M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story.” The tale of Dhoni’s struggle and survival inspired him strongly enough for him to make an impressive comeback to the game as a new man with hunger and self-belief.
Return to Cricket and Domestic Rise
On returning to Pakistan, Usman started working on his bowling once again. His action had always been unique, with an unorthodox arm movement and a hesitation in the run-up that bamboozled batsmen. He then focused and worked hard at his game to achieve success in the domestic arena.
First-Class and List A Cricket
Usman started his first-class career with Eshaal Associates and announced himself in one of the early games, where he had a five-wicket haul. He was noticed immediately for his ability to get the ball around at varied angles and, most importantly, to bamboozle the batsmen.
He made his List A debut on 7 October 2024 by picking up his first wicket in the format. His passage into domestic cricket was that much delayed in relation to most of his professional contemporaries, but progress has been marked from the summer he got those two late games due to call-ups for England cover and by a winter in which hard work brought its reward.
Breakthrough in T20 Leagues
Breakthrough in T20 Leagues
Usman Tariq’s true opportunity came in T20 franchise cricket—a stage often beneficial to inventive bowlers. His ”mysterious” action, which looks as if even the bowler does not know what it is likely to do, could be supplemented by any number of deceptive variations and by control.
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
In December 2023, he was picked by the Quetta Gladiators for the 2024 PSL. His unorthodox deliveries and his knock on the door of a batter’s mind earned him attention. In games in which he didn’t take many wickets, such as against the West Indies and Sri Lanka (the rain-ruined game), his tight overs and erratic pace yielded talk among commentators and fans.
Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
He enjoyed a career highlight in the 2025 CPL season. Representing Trinbago Knight Riders, he took 20 wickets from his 10 appearances, making him one of the most successful bowlers in the competition. His contribution was instrumental in his team’s victorious campaign, which raised his profile significantly on the global platform.
International Debut and Milestones
T20 International career Tariq made his T20I debut for Pakistan on 1 November 2025 against South Africa. His Test debut announced the arrival of a bowler with that rarest of commodities—uniqueness—who operates not so much against convention as above it.
T20I Hat-Trick
One of his earliest highlights in his international career was the tri-series match against Zimbabwe, where he confidently carried the ball with a hat trick and ended up taking 4 wickets for 18 runs. This performance put him in an elite group of Pakistani bowlers with a T20I hat-trick, and he was awarded the Player of the Match.
The Controversy: Bowling Action and “Two Elbows
Usman Tariq’s unique bowling action has been a subject of fascination and debate every now and then. His action, including the shoulder at an angle and bent arm is more awkward than for most off spinners. He even said in interviews that he has “two elbows in one arm”, implying an anatomy give away that restricts the movement of his arm by nature.
Suspect Action Reports
Due to this freakish biomechanics, his action was
Reported in PSL 2024
Reported again in PSL 2025
Yet these reports did not dismay him. Instead, he was taken to an established biomechanics lab in Lahore by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Clearance
He was cleared to bowl, however, after a detailed analysis showed that his bizarre arm action was artificial but not illegal. This was not only a clearance for him to continue with the sport, but also bolstered his confidence.
Bowling Style and Skills
The style of Usman Tariq is mix of mystery and rhythm breaks, technical originality. His strengths include:
✔ Unique Pause in Run-Up
He frequently pauses briefly before releasing the ball, disrupting a batter’s rhythm.
✔ Side-Arm Release
His release angle on the slightly slinging shot creates drift and skid that’s not easy to track.
✔ Natural Variation
His deliveries include:
traditional off-spin
a quicker dart
an angle-changing slider
a carrom ball type variant
✔ Height Advantage
He is more than six feet tall and extracts a disconcerting bounce for an off-spinner.
✔ Mental Toughness
Shunted from cricket to out of the game and back again, his own form of dog-ends has given him a fortitude that stands up under pressure.
Achievements So Far
His Experience: Participated in the PSL and CPL with impressive performances
The most wickets taken in a CPL season 20
Delivered a T20I hat-trick for Pakistan
Cleared of suspect action Through testing
Inspired countless fans with his comeback story
Turning reliable in T20s, his consistency continued to impress, and he made an impact with some crucial wickets too.
Personality, Mindset, and Influence
Usman Tariq’s narrative clearly strikes a chord with these young players in Pakistan. He is low-key, concentrated, and appreciative of the chances he has had since his return from Dubai. His perseverance affirms that it is not a prerequisite to start earlier to succeed; the key is persistence and willingness to continue despite failures.
A Role Model for Comebacks
That he stands as a model:
A break does not end a career
Self-belief can revive lost dreams
Good physical traits can be good!
Hard work eventually gets rewarded
His path—toiling in a sales job in Dubai to playing international cricket—is now considered one of the feel-good tales of modern Pakistani cricket.
Future Outlook
If he maintains what we have seen so far, becomes more consistent with his control, changes his pace, and learns to deal well with pressure, it’s clear that Usman Tariq could be
Establish himself as a regular T20I bowler for Pakistan
Earn a spot in ODI formats
Represent Pakistan in global tournaments
Play major franchise leagues worldwide
Transform into a mystery keeper-spin bowler If the above turns out to be beyond you, not to worry; there’ll always be the demand for a wicketkeeper-mystery spin bowler.
It is for his blend of natural variation with height and unpredictability that he seems a long-term prospect in short-form cricket.
Final Thoughts
Usman Tariq’s biography is more than a cricket story—it is a tale of courage, revival, and belief in second chances. From being away from cricket to becoming an international player with a hat-trick to his name, his journey proves that passion always finds its way back when a person refuses to give up.
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