India vs Pakistan matches are the most hyped matches in any ICC tournament, and today’s match is no less in that context. The hype is all the more because of Usman Tariq, the new mystery spinner who is said to be the trump card of Pakistan to stop the Indian Juggernaut.
Let’s get to know who Usman Tariq is and how he can be the deciding factor in the India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 group stage match today in Colombo.
India vs Pakistan Win-Loss Record in T20’s
India has always held the upper hand in T20’s with a 13-3 win-loss record against Pakistan overall in T20’s and an enviable 7-1 record in the T20 World Cups, but this time around, Pakistan has a great chance of improving that record, partly due to the surface on which the match will be played.
The Colombo pitch is known to be slow and to assist spinners, where power hitters can be troubled by spinners. Pakistan has 4-5 spinners in their squad, with Usman Tariq making headlines for his unique action and impressive record in T20s.
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Who is Usman Tariq?
Usman Tariq was born in Nowshera District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. He moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at a young age and worked as a salesman for a purchasing company in Dubai.
The turning point in his life came when he watched MS Dhoni’s Biopic titled “M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story” and became inspired to pursue cricket full-time. He returned to Pakistan to fulfill his dream.
He has gained prominence in the Pakistan setup for his wicket-taking ability, highlighted by 11 scalps in 4 T20I matches at an enviable economy rate of 5.93, with a dot-ball percentage of around 45%.
Usman Tariq - Record and Stats in T20 Internationals
| Name | Matches Played | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy Rate | Strike Rate |
| Usman Tariq | 4 | 11 | 4/18 | 5.93 | 8.0 |
T20 World Cup Winners List (2007-2026)
What makes Usman Tariq Different?
Usman Tariq’s bowling action gives him the X-factor in T20s. Although he is an off-spinner, his unique start-and-pause action unsettles the batsman, as T20 is all about quick decisions and timing.
This deliberate action confuses batsmen, leading to false shot-making. He will be up against a left-heavy batting side on the Colombo pitch that is known to assist spinners.
It can be aptly said that Usman Tariq can be the wild card in the India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC T20 World Cup group match today, given the nature of the pitch and his unusual bowling action.
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