Usman Tariq: Pakistan's Hat-Trick Hero and Rising Mystery Spinner

RAWALPINDI: Usman Tariq, Pakistan’s talented off-spinner, has quickly become one of the most exciting young players in international cricket. Recently, he took a spectacular four-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, to help Pakistan secure a big win over Zimbabwe in the T20I tri-series.

A Unique Bowling Action and Rising Star

Though Usman has just emerged on the international scene, he has played in T20 leagues for a number of years. He made his debut for Peshawar in the National T20 Cup in November of 2023 and he also participated in the 2024 PSL. His biggest achievement came in the 2024-25 domestic season, where he took 22 wickets in 15 matches.

The bowling technique of Usman is unusual. He maintains a regular run-up, just pauses before delivery, almost coming to a complete stop. This pause makes his deliveries more difficult to read, earning him the title of a mystery spinner.

His path has not been smooth. Usman was reported twice for a suspect action, once in the 2024 PSL and then in PSL 10. Both times, tests at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore cleared him. He credited his support to these difficulties to a former Australian all-rounder, Shane Watson.

Support from Shane Watson and International Success

“When the action call-up happened, it was the toughest phase of my career. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but my family stood firmly behind me, even offering to cover the expenses if I had to go to Dubai for the assessment,” Usman shared in a post-match press conference.

He, too, referred to the support Watson gave him at that difficult time: “Shane Watson kept reassuring me, saying he had seen many players go through similar cases and that I didn’t need to panic. It was tough, but Alhamdulillah, everything is clear now.”

Usman credits Watson for his valuable advice. Watson, the former coach of Quetta Gladiators, who resigned earlier this year, brought the team to the first playoff in 2024. His advice remains invaluable to Usman.

His wicket-taking and bowling skills have made Tariq an important player in the T20 team of Pakistan. His hat-trick against Zimbabwe made him known. That act saw him become the fourth Pakistani to achieve a T20I hat-trick.

Domestic and International Success

Usman is a top international cricketer who also competes in domestic cricket. He played five matches in the PSL in 2025, where he had 10 wickets with Quetta Gladiators. He took 20 wickets in 10 matches playing for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League, and this enhanced his reputation.

The future of Usman Tariq in international cricket is bright. He has a special move, regular performances, and tutors such as Shane Watson; hence, he is likely to be one of the most valuable players of Pakistan in the coming years.