Pakistan spinner Ali Usman: “They have put a label on me that it is red-ball… I have not yet got an opportunity in white-ball. The bowler who can play red-ball can play all the formats”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan left-arm spinner Ali Usman wants to get a proper chance to play white-ball cricket and dislikes the fact that he is considered to be a red-ball specialist.
Usman has done a lot of damage in first-class cricket this season as he was the highest wicket-taker in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QeA Trophy) with 48 wickets in eight matches for Multan Region, which included six five-wicket hauls, at an average of 21.10.
After that, he actually got the opportunity to play limited overs cricket and turned heads when he took part in the President’s Cup Grade-I (1-Day) tournament, where he played for Pakistan Television.
Usman impressed with the ball, finishing as joint second-highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets in nine games at an average of 22.37.
The 32-year-old from Vehari was then in action for Pakistan Television in the President’s Trophy Grade-I competition and picked up 25 wickets in four matches, which included three five-fors, at an average of 20.32.
Having shown what he can do, especially in the President’s Cup Grade-I (1-Day) tournament, Usman wants more chances to play white-ball cricket in the future.
“They have put a label on me that it is red-ball… I have not yet got an opportunity in white-ball. The bowler who can play red-ball can play all the formats,” he was quoted as saying by PakPassion on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Pakistan team are now involved in the 2026 T20 World Cup and have made it to the Super Eights after triumphing over the Netherlands, United States of America and Namibia in the group stage. Their only loss so far has come against India.
Pakistan will meet New Zealand in their first Super Eights match on February 21 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