Usman Tariq: “I follow the bowling of Rashid Khan, Ajanta Mendis, and Sunil Narine… They always deliver solid performances. I want to deliver an equally impressive performances like these three spinners”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan rising star Usman Tariq has said he looks up to some of the greatest mystery spinners in the game – Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis, and West Indies’ Sunil Narine – for inspiration.
Tariq noted that the trio have delivered “solid performances” for their countries and he is determined to emulate that level of success while representing Pakistan.
So far, the 28-year-old has backed up his words with action, claiming 12 wickets in five T20Is at an outstanding average of 9.25 and an economy rate of 5.94.
“I follow the bowling of Rashid Khan, Ajanta Mendis, and Sunil Narine… They always deliver solid performances. I want to deliver an equally impressive performances like these three spinners,” he was quoted as saying by journalist Arfa Feroz Zake on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Tariq is currently in action in the 2026 T20 World Cup, where he has claimed four wickets in two games at an average of 12.75 and an economy rate of 6.37.
Pakistan started off by beating the Netherlands and United States of America before losing to arch-rivals India.
They will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Namibia on February 18 in Colombo.
Pakistan Squad for 2026 T20 World Cup: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq