At a Glance
- Warwickshire Bears sign Usman Tariq ahead of T20 Blast 2026
- Tariq was Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker at the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup
- Tariq picked up 20 wickets in CPL 2025
Pakistan’s Usman Tariq became the Warwickshire Bears’ latest signing ahead of the T20 Blast set to begin on May 22. The 28-year-old is set to spend most of his summer playing at Edgbaston Stadium, with a Birmingham Phoenix stint in The Hundred following his time at the Blast.
Tariq’s unusual action has caught the eye since his debut. However, it was his performances that would have made the Bears sit up and take notice.
‘Late Bloomer’ Usman Tariq
Tariq began his professional cricket career relatively late, making his T20 debut at the age of 25 in November 2023. He would, however, impress immediately. Tariq gave away only 22 runs in his four overs on debut for Peshawar in the National T20 Cup.
He would eventually earn a Pakistan Super League (PSL) contract with Quetta Gladiators for the 2024 season. It would be trial by fire for the offie, picking up just the two wickets in his five games that campaign at an average of 71.5.
Franchise Cricket Exploits
Usman Tariq really came into his own in 2025. First, in the PSL, he picked up 10 wickets in five matches at an average of 15.9 as the Quetta Gladiators made it to the final for the first time since the 2019 season.
Tariq then picked up 20 wickets at the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season, the second most that year. In the process, he also became just the third bowler to pick up 20 wickets in his debut CPL season.
The Pakistan spinner’s 1/18 in four overs in the final also helped the Trinbago Knight Riders win their first CPL title since 2020.
The Action That Has Everyone Talking
Tariq’s unusual bowling action has made him one of the most discussed spinners in world cricket. He approaches the crease with a measured run up before pausing during his delivery stride, sometimes almost coming to a complete stop, before releasing the ball with a low arm action.
The action has twice been reported during the Pakistan Super League, in 2024 and 2025, but Tariq was cleared on both occasions after testing in Lahore. Tariq has explained that the unusual flex in his arm comes from having what he describes as “two elbows” in the joint.
Former ICC umpire Anil Chaudhary also defended the legality of the action earlier this year.
“Everything seems OK up to now. I am not seeing anything wrong.”
The unusual technique has still drawn reactions from opposition players. Cameron Green appeared to mimic Tariq’s action during a warm-up match before later apologising, while India captain Suryakumar Yadav described him as “a different character when he comes to bowl”.
International Debut and World Cup Success
Tariq’s exploits in the PSL and CPL saw him finally get called up to the Pakistan national team at the age of 27 in November 2025. In his first three matches, spread across three different series and three months, the Quetta mainstay picked up eight wickets (2/26 vs South Africa, 4/18 vs Zimbabwe, 2/16 vs Australia).
As a result of his initial international success, Usman Tariq got called up to Pakistan’s Men’s T20 World Cup squad earlier this year. And he took the opportunity with both hands. Tariq finished the tournament with 10 wickets to his name, the most among Pakistan bowlers. He also did so at an average of 14.1 and a strike rate of 11.7.
While his good form in the World Cup didn’t translate to further success with Quetta in the PSL, the Bears will hope that a change of air will rejuvenate Tariq in the T20 Blast.
Warwickshire have made the quarter finals in each of the last five editions of the T20 Blast. Maybe Tariq can take them further in the competition, even bring them their first win since 2014.
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