Pakistan’s mystery spinner Usman Tariq is back in the spotlight, and his comeback story has a surprising twist. He says his return to cricket began after watching the Bollywood film M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story.
Inspired by Dhoni’s Journey
Though the movie tells the story of India’s cricket icon, Tariq says it reignited his passion for the game he had nearly abandoned. Years ago, he gave up cricket after struggling to move beyond local tournaments. He moved to Dubai, working as a salesman, thinking his dream was over.
The Turning Point
One afternoon, while watching the Dhoni biopic, something changed. The story of perseverance and belief struck deep. Tariq quit his job, returned to Pakistan, and decided to try again a choice that completely reshaped his future.
A Dream Revival
Now 27, Tariq has earned his first call-up to Pakistan’s T20I squad for the series against South Africa. His selection came after a brilliant run in the 2025 Caribbean Premier League, where he took 20 wickets second only to Imran Tahir. Those performances reopened the doors to the national side.
Overcoming Setbacks
Tariq’s path wasn’t easy. In the 2024 Pakistan Super League, he was signed by Quetta Gladiators, but his contract was cancelled when his bowling action was reported as illegal. Later, testing in Lahore cleared his action. His unique pause and side-arm delivery remain within the rules — and have already caught wide attention.
A Cross-Border Inspiration
Usman Tariq’s journey proves that inspiration can come from anywhere. A film about an Indian captain pushed a Pakistani player to rediscover his dream. It’s a reminder that cricket transcends borders and that sometimes, one spark of belief can change everything.
