Pakistan’s spinner Usman Tariq is in the headlines with an unexpected revelation regarding his cricket comeback. The spinner, who is on the verge of making a possible international debut, shared that Bollywood biopic MS Dhoni: The Untold Story inspired him to leave his career in Dubai to pursue cricket.
After continuous failures, Tariq quit cricket and took up a job as a salesman in Dubai. After seeing the story of MS Dhoni, he left his job and resumed his journey in sports. After five years, the spinner is close to earning an international cap for Pakistan during the ongoing series against South Africa on home soil.
MS Dhoni: The Untold Story inspired me a lot – Usman Tariq
In an interview with Telecom Asia Sport, Usman Tariq said that his return to cricket began with a moment of cinematic inspiration. Tariq said that watching the MS Dhoni biopic inspired him to leave his steady job, return home and give cricket one last try.
“When I was not selected, I left the sport and started working as a salesman in a purchasing company in Dubai,” Tariq told TelecomAsia. “One day, I watched MS Dhoni: The Untold Story and it inspired me a lot. I quit the job and went back to Pakistan to play cricket again.”
Usman Tariq’s unusual action catches everyone’s attention in PSL 2024
Usman Tariq was included in Pakistan’s T20 squad for the first time for the South Africa series. He received the call-up after his impressive 2025 Caribbean Premier League campaign, where he took 20 wickets, just behind Imran Tahir.
Tariq’s unusual actions came under scrutiny in the 2024 Pakistan Super League, which led to his Quetta Gladiators contract being canceled after he was reported for suspicious action. They were subjected to biomechanical testing in Lahore before being approved by experts.
The 27-year-old was included in the T20I squad; However, he did not feature in the opening match of the series, which Pakistan lost by 55 runs. He can make his debut for Pakistan national cricket team in the current home series.
I just want to play and perform for Pakistan – Usman Tariq
Usman Tariq pauses in the middle before releasing the ball with his unorthodox bowling action. Tariq said this style comes from his “unique right elbow”.
Tariq added, “I was born with a unique right elbow that has two corners instead of one. That’s just the way my arm is.”
Having faced many challenges throughout his career, Tariq said he is determined to represent Pakistan at the highest level. He said that each setback has made him stronger.
He said, “I just want to play and perform for Pakistan. It took a long time to reach here, but every setback has made me stronger.”
It remains uncertain whether Tariq will earn his first international cap in the next T20I between Pakistan and South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday, October 31.
Also read: Alyssa Healy announced to quit cricket after India’s defeat in the World Cup semi-finals
