Kumar Sangakkara: “I find Usman Tariq fascinating. He’s such great entertainment when he bowls. He’s really bamboozled even the biggest spin hitters in world cricket”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara has been very impressed with Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq as he has “bamboozled even the biggest spin hitters in world cricket”.
Tariq has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame due to his unorthodox bowling action and ability to take wickets consistently.
The 28-year-old has quickly become a regular face in Pakistan’s T20I squad after taking 18 wickets in nine matches at an average of 11.16 and an economy rate of 6.66.
Recently, he represented Warwickshire in the Vitality Blast and claimed 16 wickets in 11 games at an average of 16 and an economy rate of 6.09.
He is now playing for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred and has snapped up two wickets in four matches at an average of 52.50 and an economy rate of 8.40.
“I find Usman Tariq fascinating. He’s such great entertainment when he bowls. He’s really bamboozled even the biggest spin hitters in world cricket,” Sangakkara was quoted as saying by respected journalist Saj Sadiq on X.
The Pakistan team just concluded a two-Test tour of the West Indies, which ended as a 1-1 draw.
Their next assignment will be a three-Test series against England from August 19 to September 13.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
Pakistan Squad for England Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah