In a story that feels ripped straight from the movies, Usman Tariq has accomplished what many thought impossible—transforming from a Dubai salesman into Pakistan’s most talked-about mystery spinner. And the catalyst? A Bollywood film about an Indian cricket legend. This is how MS Dhoni’s biopic changed a Pakistani cricketer’s life forever.
Table of Contents
Usman Tariq: Journey at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Usman Tariq |
| Age | 27 years old |
| Role | Off-spin bowler |
| Bowling Style | Mystery spinner (unique pause delivery) |
| Previous Job | Salesman in Dubai purchasing company |
| Inspiration | MS Dhoni: The Untold Story (Bollywood biopic) |
| CPL 2025 Performance | 20 wickets (2nd highest wicket-taker) |
| PSL Team | Quetta Gladiators |
| Pakistan Squad | T20I squad vs South Africa (2025) |
| Unique Feature | Born with two corners in right elbow |
The Bollywood Moment That Changed Everything
Usman Tariq’s cricket journey nearly ended before it truly began. After repeated rejections from selection committees, the dejected spinner abandoned his dreams and relocated to Dubai, taking up a sales position with a purchasing company. Cricket seemed like a closed chapter—until one fateful day in a Dubai cinema.
“I left the game after I did not get selected and was working as a salesman in a purchasing company in Dubai,” Usman Tariq revealed in an interview with Telecom Asia Sport. “There I watched ‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’ and it inspired me a lot. I left the job and came back to Pakistan to pursue cricket again.”
The 2016 biopic starring Sushant Singh Rajput chronicled how MS Dhoni rose from small-town obscurity to become India’s World Cup-winning captain. For Usman Tariq, the parallels were impossible to ignore—here was proof that late bloomers could still make it big.
From Rejection to Recognition
Fast-forward five years, and Usman Tariq’s gamble paid off spectacularly. In the 2025 Caribbean Premier League, playing for Trinbago Knight Riders, he claimed 20 wickets—finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker behind only South African veteran Imran Tahir. This breakthrough performance earned him his maiden call-up to Pakistan’s T20I squad for the series against South Africa.
At 27, Usman Tariq played his first professional match just months before turning 26—extraordinarily late by cricket standards, where most players grind through lower levels from their teens. His story defies conventional wisdom about when success must arrive.
The Mystery Behind the Mystery Spinner
What makes Usman Tariq truly unique isn’t just his comeback story—it’s his bowling action. Described as a “mystery spinner,” Tariq employs an exaggerated pause at the point of delivery, coming to a near-complete halt for up to two seconds before releasing the ball with a slinging, side-arm motion. Think Ravichandran Ashwin’s pause, but significantly longer and more dramatic.
This unconventional technique sparked controversy. Usman Tariq was reported twice for suspect bowling action during the Pakistan Super League seasons in 2024 and 2025. His Quetta Gladiators contract was even terminated in 2024 following the first report.
Born Different: The Two-Elbow Revelation
The scrutiny led to biomechanical testing at a laboratory in Lahore, where Usman Tariq was cleared to continue bowling. The reason? His action isn’t manufactured—it’s natural, stemming from a rare anatomical condition.
“I was born with a unique right elbow which has two corners,” Usman Tariq explained. His elbow structure isn’t standard anatomy, making his bowling action not just unique but literally impossible to replicate. This natural deformity creates his distinctive delivery style, which experts confirmed falls within legal parameters despite looking unconventional.
Overcoming the Controversy
The International Cricket Council tightened regulations on bowling actions in recent years, no longer allowing deformities as automatic mitigating factors—a change that came after legendary bowlers like Muttiah Muralitharan and Shoaib Akhtar received clearances due to medical conditions. Despite stricter standards, Usman Tariq’s case was reviewed carefully and approved, confirming his action is both natural and legal.
Critics questioned whether his pause constituted an unfair advantage, but biomechanical analysis validated that his delivery mechanism stems from physical structure rather than manipulation. For Usman Tariq, vindication came not just through clearance but through performance—his CPL success proved effectiveness speaks louder than skepticism.
Stats That Speak Volumes
Usman Tariq’s numbers tell a compelling story:
- CPL 2025: 10 matches, 20 wickets for championship-winning Trinbago Knight Riders
- PSL: 10 matches, 7 wickets across two seasons for Quetta Gladiators
- First-Class Cricket: 2 matches, 8 wickets (best figures: 5/62)
- List A: 3 matches, 8 wickets
- T20 Format: 36 matches, 54 wickets
These statistics represent not just performance but perseverance—every wicket a testament to the decision made in that Dubai cinema hall.
The MS Dhoni Connection
The irony isn’t lost on cricket fans: a Pakistani player inspired by an Indian captain’s story now competes against teams from around the world. Usman Tariq openly credits the MS Dhoni biopic for reigniting his passion, demonstrating how sports transcend borders and rivalries when it comes to inspiration.
MS Dhoni himself faced doubts about his unorthodox wicketkeeping style and unconventional captaincy decisions. His story of persistence resonated with Usman Tariq at precisely the moment hope seemed lost.
What’s Next for Pakistan’s Late Bloomer?
Usman Tariq remains on the cusp of his international debut with Pakistan’s T20I squad. Whether he gets his cap in upcoming matches against South Africa remains to be seen, but his journey has already made him one of Pakistan cricket’s most compelling narratives of 2025.
“I just want to play for Pakistan and perform,” Usman Tariq stated with characteristic humility. “It took a long time to reach here, but every setback has made me stronger.”
The Bottom Line
Usman Tariq’s story proves that dreams don’t have expiration dates. From selling products in Dubai to spinning cricket balls for Pakistan, his journey embodies what happens when inspiration meets determination. A Bollywood film gave him the push he needed, but his own resilience carried him across the finish line.
As Usman Tariq prepares for his potential international debut, his tale reminds aspiring athletes everywhere: it’s never too late to chase what sets your soul on fire. Sometimes all it takes is the right story at the right moment—and the courage to act on that inspiration.
Rooting for Usman Tariq? Follow Pakistan cricket on official channels to catch his potential debut and witness this real-life Bollywood comeback story unfold on the international stage!
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